WorldSpain’s police chief denies that a report blaming Morocco for migrant crossings into Ceuta exists. A leaked police document had suggested Moroccan security forces helped transport migrants and push them toward the border, prompting Madrid to demand an explanation from its own police.
PoliticsSpain’s government has approved a €309 million aid package for Ceuta amid the migrant crisis. The economy minister called it a “shock response” intended to address demands from social organisations and the city government.
PoliticsMEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar says the illegal crossing of 80,000 migrants into Ceuta last month could not have happened without some overlooking by Moroccan authorities. He calls Morocco’s involvement “obvious.”
PoliticsSpain asked Frontex on Friday to help in Ceuta while the crisis remained unresolved, leaving 5,000 migrants stranded. MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar said the request was “absolutely” an admission of defeat.
WorldPrime Minister Pedro Sanchez said there were indications that Russia and Israel spread disinformation about Spain’s migration policy, triggering last month’s rush of migrants into Ceuta. He said there was no evidence of Moroccan involvement. Israel and Russia denied the allegations. More than 72,000 migrants crossed irregularly from Morocco into the Spanish territory on July 30 and 31.
PoliticsItaly’s Interior Ministry has extended its suspension of Schengen arrangements with Spain for another 15 days. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said tensions in Ceuta remain high and the situation is “far from improved.”
WorldResidents of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, tore down a migrant beach camp, dismantling tents and burning belongings. Tensions have risen since 72,000 people crossed from Morocco, though most have since returned.
Reuters
WorldTensions have intensified in Spain’s Ceuta a month after a mass migrant influx. Police said about 70 migrants ambushed a military vehicle carrying four soldiers early Thursday, attacking it with stones and other objects, while residents tried to prevent the Red Cross from delivering aid.
PoliticsSpain plans to reform its immigration and asylum laws to bring them into line with EU rules while the Ceuta crisis continues. Around 5,000 migrants, including 2,000 minors, remain in the enclave after a mass influx from Morocco in July.
WorldMigrants who died while attempting to enter Spain’s northern African enclave of Ceuta are being buried.
Reuters
WorldSpanish authorities cleared a beach in Ceuta on Thursday as part of a plan to move migrants into temporary shelters.
The Associated Press
WorldSpain’s government says it will create shelters for 1,800 migrants in Ceuta to ease a humanitarian crisis following last month’s influx from Morocco. Government figures say about 72,000 people crossed the border into the North African territory on July 30-31, while 70,000 have since returned to Morocco.
WorldSpanish authorities cleared El Trampolín beach in Ceuta and moved about 1,500 migrants and asylum seekers, according to official government figures. The large-scale operation responds to a humanitarian crisis triggered by thousands crossing from Morocco on July 30 and 31.
WorldSpanish authorities have started transferring migrants from Ceuta beach to temporary shelters. Many people remain in makeshift camps, including vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied children, women and girls.
WorldMigrants who had been staying on a beach in Ceuta are being transferred to makeshift reception centres in the Spanish enclave. They are among roughly 72,000 people who crossed into the territory; most returned voluntarily in the following days, but thousands remain.
Reuters
WorldWomen who entered Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta during a mass crossing on July 30 say the hardships of sleeping outdoors while awaiting registration are worsened by threats and fear of sexual harassment. Authorities estimate that 5,000 to 8,000 people remain there more than two weeks after 72,000 crossed from Morocco in a deadly border surge.
SocietySeveral thousand migrant children and teenagers remain in Spain’s exclave of Ceuta as cases of sexual violence against minors rise. The territory’s government admits it is overwhelmed but has no solution, while Ceuta’s mayor says sending the minors back to Morocco is the only option.
SocietyMigrant women who entered Spain’s Ceuta enclave during a mass crossing say men nearby have sexually harassed them. A police union reports 15 sexual assaults, including cases involving minors.
Reuters
PoliticsThe European Commission said on Tuesday that returning unaccompanied migrant minors from Ceuta to Morocco is covered by EU law, signalling EU support for the repatriations.
WorldMoroccan authorities say nearly 300 people were arrested while attempting to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta after online calls for another mass crossing. The attempt follows an unprecedented border crisis weeks earlier, when tens of thousands entered the territory and dozens died.
WorldHundreds of migrants who recently entered Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta protested on a popular urban beach, calling on Spanish authorities to grant them asylum rather than return them to Morocco.
Reuters
WorldMoroccan security forces dispersed migrants attempting to cross into Spain’s Ceuta enclave after online messages called for a mass rush at the border.
Reuters
WorldMorocco has deployed heavy security around the border city of Fnideq after false social media rumours said the border with Spain’s Ceuta enclave would open. Hundreds of mostly sub-Saharan African migrants have gathered nearby, raising fears of another mass crossing.
WorldFalse social media claims that the Morocco-Ceuta border would open for Spain’s Assumption holiday prompted migrants to gather near the crossing. Moroccan and Spanish authorities have tightened security after a recent mass influx into Ceuta, while Morocco says those spreading the claims could face legal action.