Furious residents of Ceuta have demolished a makeshift camp in the Spanish enclave, amid rising regional tensions over the ‘invasion’ of migrants.
More than 70,000 migrants swam or walked across on foot from neighboring Morocco in a massive influx last month, killing dozens and fueling new tensions in the region. European Union above migration.
Frustrations became apparent this week as thousands of residents protested yesterday against the handling of the situation and locals attempted to dismantle a makeshift camp last night.
Footage showed several men – one of whom had a Spanish flag wrapped around himself – violently tearing open sheets hung around a parasol on a beach.
Police appear to be standing just a few feet away but do not intervene, and hooting and shouting from a crowd can be heard in the background.
Officials from the Spanish government delegation held a meeting yesterday to draw up a response plan for the remaining migrantswith guards at the entrance to prevent protesters from entering.
Although most migrants have since returned to Morocco, between 5 and 10 percent – between 3,500 and 7,000 people – remain in Ceuta, with many resorting to sleeping in public areas and on beaches.
Local residents have complained of insecurity after reports of sexual assault and hygiene problems linked to homeless migrants sleeping on the streets or wandering, accusing the left-wing central government of neglecting Ceuta.
Furious residents of Ceuta have demolished a temporary camp in the Spanish enclave amid rising regional tensions over the ‘invasion’ of migrants
The frustrations were visible in the city this week, where thousands of residents protested yesterday against the handling of the situation
Migrants walk on Trampolin beach in Ceuta, Spain, August 14
More than 2,000 residents protested again yesterday, gathering for the first time around 6 p.m. outside the Military Hospital, one of the locations that will house the migrants under the government’s emergency plan.
Spanish and Ceuta flags were waved and demonstrators shouted: “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta is defended,” as they insisted that the hospital and other buildings should not house the migrants.
Protesters also shouted: “Ceuta is not CETI,” a reference to the migrant shelter in the enclave. The government announced last week that there would be reception centers for 1,800 migrants.
Protesters again demanded the resignation of the deputy of the central government in Ceuta, Miguel Angel Perez Triano, along with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Hundreds of residents also marched through the streets on Tuesday, criticizing the central government’s handling of migrants.
The Spanish government is facing demands from the conservative opposition and far-right parties that anyone who has entered the country, including minors, be returned to Morocco.
The government took steps on Tuesday to speed up the return of thousands of migrants still in Spanish territory, after declaring the migrant situation to be of national security concern.
As such, the Spanish Cabinet approved the creation of a ‘single command’ for Ceuta, headed by Minister of Territorial Policy Angel Victor Torres, allowing resources from different governments to be organized and coordinated under a single structure.
Migrants sleep at a construction site amid recent mass crossings from Morocco to the Spanish territory of Ceuta by land and sea in Ceuta on August 7
Moroccan migrant Wafae Atid sits on her inflatable mattress as workers spray water on the nearby road, near the temporary immigrant reception center in Ceuta on August 16
A meeting yesterday with government officials was expected to involve discussions with his command to identify those remaining in Ceuta and determine whether they are entitled to international protection, or, if not, to initiate procedures for their return.
Officials have tried to allay locals’ concerns that buildings will be converted to temporarily house migrants, explaining that this will only happen in exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of the administrations involved.
The priority is “the return and repatriation of the greatest possible number of people, adults and minors,” in compliance with Spanish law and human rights, Torres told reporters after the Cabinet approved the measure.
Mr Torres added that Spain must adhere to international law and warned that those who advocate such a solution “out of populism or to scrape together a few votes are mistaken.”
While return procedures are accelerated, the government will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those who seek asylum or are unaccompanied minors – of which there are around 2,000 – and therefore cannot be returned, he added.
However, more temporary housing will be made available “to restore normalcy in Ceuta,” government spokesperson Elma Saiz said.
Last week it was announced that at least 500 migrant girls would be transferred from Ceuta to mainland Spain following reports of sexual assault.
Spanish police said they have registered 15 sexual attacks in Ceuta since July 15, with the majority of victims being minors and the attacks mainly taking place on the beach where migrants were concentrated.
The move came as a huge reversal for the Spanish government, after originally saying illegal migrants would not be allowed to enter the mainland.
Ceuta, together with Spain’s other North African enclave Melilla, has the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.
The areas have a special arrangement within the Schengen zone for free travel, meaning people cannot travel onwards to mainland Spain without border controls.
