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. They appealed to Spanish authorities for asylum instead of being returned to Morocco. These migrants were part of the 5,000 to 8,000 individuals who remained in Ceuta following a large-scale border crossing that occurred two weeks ago, where over 72,000 people entered the small territory with a population of about 80,000. The majority of those who crossed voluntarily returned in the days that followed.
Due to the strain on the city’s resources, most migrants were 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 faced, including sleeping by the sea in harsh conditions and being restricted by the police from accessing 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.” They chanted slogans like “We’re tired” and “We need a solution.” Some migrants were seen washing clothes or fishing with makeshift bamboo rods on the rocky shores nearby.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated earlier in the week that irregular migrants would not be permitted to remain in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status, except in rare cases involving extreme vulnerability.
Ceuta’s medical board chief, Enrique Roviralta, expressed concerns about the limited healthcare resources being overwhelmed, highlighting the rise in diseases like infectious diarrhea and scabies, as well as an increase in violence-related injuries such as broken noses and stab wounds.
While Health Minister Monica Garcia denied claims of a collapsed health system, she acknowledged the pressure on local services. She emphasized that associating migration with illness is unjust and xenophobic, noting a moderate risk of epidemic outbreaks for migrants and a low risk for residents.
Many Moroccan migrants interviewed mentioned fleeing poor working conditions in their country despite having higher qualifications. They cited low salaries, making it difficult to afford homes or start families. One migrant, Emmanuel, who escaped conflict in Nigeria, embarked on a dangerous journey across multiple countries to provide a better life for his children.
These migrants, coming from various backgrounds, are seeking asylum in Ceuta for reasons ranging from economic opportunities to persecution based on sexual orientation. They face uncertainties and challenges while waiting for responses from authorities and humanitarian organizations.