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, calling for asylum in Spain rather than being returned to Morocco. These individuals are part of the 5,000 to 8,000 migrants who remain in Ceuta after a large-scale border crossing two weeks ago that saw over 72,000 people enter the small territory with a population of about 80,000. The majority of the migrants voluntarily returned in the days following the incident.
Due to the strain on the city’s resources, many migrants are 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 hardships they are facing, mentioning that they are sleeping near the sea in cold and unsanitary conditions and are being prevented 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,” while chanting 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 behind them.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated earlier this week that irregularly entered migrants would not be allowed to stay in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status, except in rare cases involving extreme vulnerability.
Ceuta’s medical board head, Enrique Roviralta, expressed concerns about the overwhelmed healthcare workers in the city due to the slow response from the central government. He highlighted the outbreak of diseases like infectious diarrhea and scabies, along with an increase in violence-related injuries such as broken noses and stab wounds.
Health Minister Monica Garcia denied claims of a collapsed healthcare system in Ceuta but acknowledged the pressure it was under. 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.
Most of the Moroccan migrants interviewed cited poor working conditions in their country as the driving force behind their migration, despite having higher qualifications. They expressed their struggles and aspirations for a better life in Europe, with many willing to take any job offered to them.
