Hundreds of migrants who recently arrived in Ceuta, a North African enclave of Spain, gathered for a demonstration on a popular urban beach on Sunday, calling on Spanish authorities to grant them asylum instead of repatriating them to Morocco. These individuals are part of the estimated 5,000 to 8,000 migrants who remain in Ceuta following a mass border incursion two weeks ago, during which over 72,000 people rushed into the small territory with a population of about 80,000. The majority of the migrants voluntarily returned in the days that followed.
Given the strained resources of the city, most migrants are living in precarious conditions on El Trampolin beach or on the outskirts of the city while awaiting opportunities to travel onward to continental Europe. Ayoub Elarroud from Tetouan, Morocco, expressed the hardships they face, mentioning that they are sleeping near the sea enduring cold weather and unpleasant odors, with restrictions from the police preventing them from accessing the city center.
The protesters displayed Spanish flags and banners with messages such as “We don’t want to go back to Morocco” and “We are also human,” while chanting slogans like “We’re tired” and “We need a solution.” Some migrants were seen washing clothes or fishing on the rocky shores behind the demonstration.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated earlier this week that irregularly arriving migrants would not be permitted to remain in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or attain legal status, except in rare cases of extreme vulnerability. Ceuta’s medical board head, Enrique Roviralta, highlighted the strain on healthcare services, citing outbreaks of diseases like infectious diarrhea and scabies, as well as an increase in violence-related injuries.
Health Minister Monica Garcia denied claims that local health services had collapsed but acknowledged the pressure they are under. She emphasized that linking migration to illness is unjust and xenophobic. Migrants interviewed by Reuters, predominantly from Morocco, cited poor working conditions in their home country as the driving force behind their migration aspirations, despite having higher qualifications.
The migrants shared their stories of seeking better opportunities in Europe, with some facing persecution or conflict in their home countries. The challenges faced by the migrants in Ceuta underscore the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region as authorities grapple with the influx of migrants and the strain on resources.
Mohammad Ismail Hossain from Bangladesh recounted his arduous journey through several countries, while Ousmane from Senegal sought asylum due to persecution over his sexual orientation, reflecting the diverse reasons compelling individuals to make the risky journey in pursuit of a better life.