Hundreds of migrants who recently arrived in Ceuta, a North African enclave of Spain, gathered for a protest on a popular urban beach to appeal for asylum from Spanish authorities instead of being returned to Morocco. They are part of the estimated 5,000 to 8,000 migrants who remain in Ceuta following a mass border crossing two weeks ago, where over 72,000 individuals entered the small territory with a population of about 80,000. The majority of them voluntarily returned 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 the outskirts of the city while hoping for an opportunity to continue their journey to mainland Europe. Ayoub Elarroud from Tetouan, Morocco, expressed the hardships they are facing, sleeping near the sea in cold and unsanitary conditions, and being restricted by police from accessing the city center.
During the protest, migrants waved Spanish flags and held banners with messages such as “We don’t want to go back to Morocco” and “We are also human,” while chanting slogans like “We’re tired” and “We need a solution.” On the rocky shores, some migrants were seen washing their clothes or fishing with improvised bamboo rods.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated earlier that irregularly-entered migrants would not be allowed to stay in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status, except in rare cases of extreme vulnerability. The head of Ceuta’s medical board, Enrique Roviralta, highlighted the strain on the city’s limited healthcare workers, noting outbreaks of diseases like infectious diarrhea and scabies, along with an increase in violence-related injuries.
Health Minister Monica Garcia denied claims that local health services had collapsed but acknowledged they were under pressure. She emphasized that associating migration with illness is unjust and xenophobic, mentioning a moderate risk of epidemic outbreaks among migrants and a low risk for residents.
Many Moroccan migrants interviewed expressed dissatisfaction with poor working conditions in their country, despite holding higher qualifications. Mohammed Ouanzar, an automation specialist from Fez, cited low salaries as a barrier to buying a home or starting a family, stating that reaching Spanish soil felt like a new beginning to him.
Other migrants shared their stories of seeking better opportunities in Europe, with reasons ranging from economic hardships to safety concerns for their families. The challenges faced by migrants in Ceuta have sparked a humanitarian crisis, with organizations struggling to provide assistance to those in need.
Some migrants, like Mohammad Ismail Hossain from Bangladesh and Ousmane from Senegal, recounted their arduous journeys through multiple countries, facing dangers and hardships along the way. Despite various motivations driving their migration, the common thread among them is the pursuit of a better life and opportunities for themselves and their families.
