Desperate Plea for Asylum and Healthcare in Ceuta, Morocco
In the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located at the northern tip of Africa, a poignant story unfolds that highlights the urgent plight of migrants seeking refuge. Fatna, a 21-year-old woman in the advanced stages of pregnancy, along with her disabled son, found herself at the heart of a chaotic border crossing on July 30. Fatna had hoped to be among the first to receive assistance from authorities, but nearly three months later, her situation has become increasingly dire. With her newborn daughter facing serious kidney issues, the family is in desperate need of specialized medical treatment on the Spanish mainland. Unfortunately, navigating the asylum process has proven to be an uphill battle. To travel while their asylum request is pending, they require a permit that the Spanish government, typically pro-immigration, has been reluctant to grant to the thousands of migrants still in Ceuta.
The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is facing significant pressure from the European Union and a growingly frustrated public to address the ongoing migrant crisis. In preparation for the upcoming elections on November 29, the government is working on expedited asylum procedures aimed at returning most migrants to their countries of origin, primarily Morocco, under the impression that many are economic migrants rather than legitimate asylum seekers. This has raised alarms among NGOs, who fear that such measures may lead to violations of migrant rights.
Sánchez defended the government's approach, stating that Spain is managing the influx of cases responsibly, with a commitment to solidarity and respect for human rights. However, extensive interviews conducted by Reuters with migrants, lawyers, NGOs, and law enforcement reveal that many individuals in Ceuta have compelling reasons to seek asylum or humanitarian protection. These cases range from unaccompanied minors to LGBTQ+ individuals from Morocco who risk imprisonment upon deportation, as well as vulnerable families like Fatna's.
Humanitarian Crisis and Legal Challenges
Last week, eight humanitarian organizations, including Oxfam and Amnesty International, lodged a formal complaint with Spain's Ombudsman, as reported by Reuters. The complaint cites severe rights violations within the small enclave of Ceuta, including the forced return of migrants from conflict-affected countries and the denial of interpreters and legal assistance. The central Spanish government, alongside the Ministries of Interior and Migration, has yet to respond to these allegations. Wendell Soares, coordinator of the Catholic migrant shelter San Antonio, which has taken in Fatna's family along with numerous other vulnerable individuals, stated, "There are people who will be in grave danger if returned to Morocco." He emphasized the necessity of assessing each case individually, cautioning against the homogenization of migrants into a single narrative.
The challenges faced by the Sánchez administration are compounded by criticism from right-wing and far-right parties, which have accused the government of permitting an invasion through the recent surge of migrants. Despite plans for a new EU procedure enabling expedited deportations during emergencies, current regulations mandate a case-by-case evaluation of migrants. While a majority of those remaining in Ceuta are from Morocco, the government has estimated that over 1,000 migrants originate from sub-Saharan countries, where asylum is granted in more than 90% of cases in Spain, according to government statistics.
The new EU pact requires that cases be processed at border zones to facilitate quicker deportations; however, it does not obligate applicants to remain at the arrival point, allowing them to be relocated to other border areas in Spain. This relocation is deemed essential for adequately assessing the situations of vulnerable migrants, as stated by Juan Miguel Morales, director of the NGO Sur Acoge. While 262 minors have been relocated to the mainland since the July crossing, the government’s strategy for adult migrants has largely revolved around persuading them to return voluntarily. The government claims that approximately 12,000 individuals have opted to go back since mid-August, with the Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska asserting that no covert returns have occurred.
However, at least nine NGOs have publicly stated that the migrants they support were coerced into returning. Reports from the Elín Association indicate that migrants from Sudan and Chad were summoned by police and deported without warning. One Moroccan migrant, Azhaar Chaouni, recounted to volunteers from the German NGO Mission Lifeline that he and others were taken by police under the pretense of being transported to shelters, only to be deported without explanation. The designation of Morocco as a 'safe country of origin' under EU regulations does not strip its citizens of their right to seek asylum, according to immigration expert Andrea de Petris. She stressed that each individual requires a specific assessment of their personal circumstances, a process that she anticipates will be lengthy and costly.
For many, including 19-year-old Rayane, a gay Moroccan seeking asylum in the San Antonio shelter, the fear of returning to Morocco looms large. Rejected by his family and unable to live freely in a country where same-sex relationships are criminalized, he is desperate to reach Europe. "I can't even imagine going back to Morocco. I would commit suicide before crossing the border," he expressed. On the ground, frontline workers and NGOs report that the situation in Ceuta has highlighted the unrealistic nature of the 12-week timeline established in the EU migration pact for processing asylum requests, with many expecting the process to extend for months due to a lack of resources. As of October 14, only about 100 migrant cases were being registered daily, and estimates suggest that between 7,000 and 8,000 migrants remain scattered throughout the city, sleeping outdoors or crammed into makeshift shelters.
The Spanish government has refrained from commenting on estimates of unregistered migrants, and the Minister of Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, stated it is impossible to ascertain how many are hiding. Medical professionals at Ceuta's only hospital are treating migrants suffering from scabies, tuberculosis, and gastrointestinal infections resulting from prolonged exposure to the elements, with reports of at least seven women giving birth. Fatna and her husband Mohamed are determined to remain in Spain, fearing for their baby’s health and convinced that their disabled three-year-old son would not survive in Morocco. "We are doing everything for our child," Mohamed declared.
As reported by es-us.noticias.yahoo.com.
