Spain's Controversial Deportations of Migrants to Morocco
In a significant and controversial move, Spain has recently deported more than a dozen migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia back to Morocco. This action marks the first deportation of its kind from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta since a mass border crossing occurred in July, when around 80,000 migrants entered the enclave from Morocco within a span of just 48 hours. Following the asylum denials, the Interior Ministry of Spain confirmed that these individuals were returned to Morocco, which had consented to their repatriation. However, specific details regarding the number and nationalities of those deported were not disclosed.
According to various migrant and human rights organizations operating in Ceuta, the group consisted of 16 individuals hailing from countries including Senegal, Nigeria, Yemen, Cameroon, and Bangladesh. The NGOs have voiced strong objections to these deportations, arguing that they overlook the numerous risks associated with Morocco's treatment of migrants from other nations. Virginia Alvarez, a researcher for Amnesty International, criticized Spain's actions as hypocritical, stating that despite the country’s progressive rhetoric in Europe, it fails to ensure that human rights are respected for individuals crossing its borders in Ceuta and Melilla, particularly given Morocco's track record on human rights violations.
Morocco's Interior Ministry has not responded to requests for comments regarding the deportations. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), which works with Moroccan authorities on voluntary return programs, clarified that it does not engage in deportations or forced removals, emphasizing that such decisions are the sovereign responsibility of individual states. The IOM also noted its commitment to supporting migrants who opt for voluntary return to their home countries.
In light of these developments, a spokesperson from Spain’s Interior Ministry reiterated that Morocco is classified as a safe country by the European Union, and that deportations are conducted with necessary safeguards in place, although no further details were provided. The current situation remains delicate as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government faces mounting pressure from both the EU and citizens to address the ongoing crisis in Ceuta ahead of the elections scheduled for November 29. While Spanish authorities have managed to house around 8,000 migrants in reception centers and are processing a majority of the asylum applications from those still remaining in Ceuta, numerous NGOs, including Amnesty International, have raised concerns with the Spanish ombudsman over reports that some of the more than 13,000 individuals purported to have returned to Morocco since mid-August were actually forced to leave, including non-Moroccan nationals.
As reported by cnbcafrica.com.
