Spain’s government is moving to clear a significant backlog of migrants in Ceuta, its North African enclave, as it faces pressure from the European Union and domestic voters ahead of a snap election scheduled for November 29. According to MyJoyOnline, the administration is implementing shortcuts for asylum applications with the goal of returning most individuals to Morocco, classifying them primarily as economic migrants rather than those seeking political refuge. This strategy has drawn scrutiny from non-governmental organizations that argue the rapid pace may compromise individual rights assessments.
Last week, a group of eight charities, including Oxfam and Amnesty International, submitted a formal grievance to Spain’s ombudsman. The document, reviewed by Reuters and cited by MyJoyOnline, highlights the forced return of migrants from conflict zones and the frequent denial of interpreters and legal assistance. While Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government describes its approach as responsible and solidary, critics point to specific cases, such as unaccompanied minors and LGBTQ+ Moroccans, who face distinct risks if deported without detailed case-by-case reviews.
The physical conditions in Ceuta have deteriorated, with many migrants sleeping on streets or in hillsides. MyJoyOnline reports that doctors at the local hospital are treating patients for scabies, tuberculosis, and gastrointestinal infections resulting from prolonged exposure. A police union representative estimated that between 7,000 and 8,000 migrants remain unregistered as of mid-October, a figure the government has found difficult to verify. Meanwhile, the government claims that 12,000 migrants have voluntarily returned to Morocco since mid-August, a characterization that some NGOs dispute, citing instances of what they describe as coerced departures.
The European Union’s new migrant pact requires cases to be processed in border zones to facilitate faster deportations, but it does not mandate that applicants remain in their initial point of entry. Juan Miguel Morales, director-general of the NGO Sur Acoge, argued that transferring vulnerable cases to other Spanish border zones is the only viable option to alleviate pressure on Ceuta. Despite these suggestions, the government has focused on voluntary returns, with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stating that up to 1,200 asylum applications have been received and 700 resolved. As the election approaches, the tension between rapid administrative processing and individual humanitarian needs remains a central point of contention in Spanish politics.