Hundreds of migrants who recently arrived in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta gathered for a demonstration on a popular urban beach on Sunday, calling on Spanish authorities to provide them with asylum instead of deporting them back to Morocco. These individuals were part of the 5,000 to 8,000 migrants who are still in Ceuta following a large influx two weeks ago, which saw over 72,000 people crossing into the tiny territory with an approximate population of 80,000. Most of the migrants, including those living in precarious conditions on El Trampolin beach or around the city’s periphery, voluntarily returned in the days that followed.
Ayoub Elarroud from Tetouan, Morocco, expressed the challenges faced by the migrants, mentioning their struggles of sleeping near the sea in harsh conditions and facing restrictions from the police in accessing the city center. During the protest, the 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 vocalizing their weariness and the urgent need for a resolution.
Some migrants were seen washing clothes and fishing with rudimentary bamboo rods along the rocky shores. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska recently stated that irregularly entering migrants would not be permitted to stay in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or acquire legal status, except in extreme vulnerability cases.
The strain on health services in Ceuta was highlighted by Enrique Roviralta, the head of the city’s medical board, who expressed concerns over the exhausted healthcare workers, increased cases of diseases like infectious diarrhea and scabies, and a rise in violence-related injuries. Health Minister Monica Garcia addressed these issues, emphasizing the pressure on local health services while rejecting claims of a collapse, noting the risks of epidemic outbreaks for migrants and residents.
Many Moroccan migrants interviewed shared their motivation for leaving due to poor working conditions in their home country, despite holding higher qualifications. Mohammed Ouanzar, an automation specialist, cited inadequate salaries as a reason for seeking a better life in Europe. Another migrant, Emmanuel, a Nigerian electrician, embarked on a challenging journey to provide a safer environment for his children, willing to accept any job opportunity offered to him.
The stories of migrants like Mohammad Ismail Hossain from Bangladesh and Ousmane from Senegal further highlight the diverse reasons prompting individuals to seek asylum in Ceuta. These individuals represent a complex mix of aspirations for a better future while facing numerous challenges and uncertainties on their journey.
