Hundreds of migrants who recently arrived in Ceuta, a North African enclave of Spain, gathered for a demonstration on a popular urban beach to appeal to Spanish authorities for asylum rather than being sent back to Morocco. Approximately 5,000 to 8,000 migrants are currently in Ceuta following a mass border crossing two weeks ago, during which over 72,000 individuals entered the small territory with a population of about 80,000. The majority of them returned voluntarily in the days that followed.
Due to the strain on the city’s resources, most migrants are living in precarious conditions on El Trampolin beach or on the outskirts of the city while hoping for an opportunity to continue their journey to mainland Europe. Ayoub Elarroud from Tetouan, Morocco, expressed the challenges they face, mentioning that they are sleeping near the sea in harsh conditions and facing restrictions from the police to access the city center.
During the protest, migrants displayed Spanish flags and banners with messages such as “We don’t want to go back to Morocco” and “We are also human,” while voicing slogans like “We’re tired” and “We need a solution.” Some migrants were seen washing clothes and fishing with makeshift bamboo rods on the rocky shores behind them.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska recently stated that irregularly entered migrants would not be permitted to stay in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or gain legal status unless in rare circumstances of extreme vulnerability. Ceuta’s medical board head, Enrique Roviralta, expressed concern about the overwhelmed healthcare workers, citing outbreaks of infectious diseases and a rise in violence-related injuries among the migrant population.
Health Minister Monica Garcia refuted claims that local health services had collapsed but acknowledged the pressure they were under. She emphasized that associating migration with illness is unjust and xenophobic. Migrants interviewed highlighted poor working conditions in Morocco as a driving factor for their migration, despite holding higher qualifications and facing financial challenges back home.
Various migrants shared their stories, including Mohammed Ouanzar, an automation specialist, who found the monthly salaries in Morocco insufficient to afford a home or start a family. Hicham Chikir emphasized the eagerness of people to work in Europe, while Emmanuel, an electrician from Nigeria, embarked on a perilous journey to provide a better life for his children who had stopped attending school due to safety concerns.
The migrants come from diverse backgrounds and face different challenges, with stories like Mohammad Ismail Hossain’s arduous journey through multiple countries and Ousmane’s struggle for asylum due to persecution over his sexual orientation. The plight of these migrants underscores the humanitarian challenges faced by Ceuta and the need for a comprehensive solution to address their needs.