Spain Faces Criticism Over Handling of Teen Migrants in Ceuta

Hundreds of teenage migrants have been left to sleep on the streets and in makeshift camps in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, months after a surge of people crossed the border. The situation highlights what critics describe as a slow and improvised response from the Spanish government to a complex migration crisis.

For two months, many of these minors had been living in squalid conditions, using cardboard sheets and tattered sofas for bedding, or sleeping outdoors. The city of Ceuta, a Spanish territory jutting into the Mediterranean, is visible from the coast of southern Spain, a constant reminder of the proximity to continental Europe.

In late July, an estimated 80,000 people, including many minors, crossed into Ceuta. This influx marked Spain's deadliest border crisis, with around 140 people reportedly dying during the crossing. While most adults left the enclave within days, a significant number of unaccompanied minors remained, and Spanish law dictates they are entitled to shelter, healthcare, and education.

Experts acknowledge the challenges authorities face in managing the situation, but suggest the government's approach may be to wait for many of the young migrants to leave voluntarily. The 17-year-old aspiring model from northern Morocco, who arrived in July, expressed his surprise at the prolonged difficulties. "I was expecting a really easy experience," he told the Associated Press. "I was expecting two to three weeks of this."

Makeshift camps have festered on beaches, in warehouses, and on hillsides since the initial border rush. Conditions in some of these camps have been dire, with reports of children as young as 13 sharing spaces with adults in unsanitary environments, and frequent fights breaking out.

Local Concerns and Rights Group Scrutiny

Residents in Ceuta's predominantly Muslim neighborhoods have voiced concerns about the growing number of young migrants on the streets. "Our streets are littered with kids," said Ahmed Enfed-Dal, president of a neighborhood association.

Spanish prosecutors have launched investigations into allegations of torture and mistreatment of migrants, including minors. In September, Amnesty International released a report detailing accusations of cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment by Spanish soldiers. The report also raised concerns about unsafe conditions for underage migrants and alleged sexual abuse of girls.

Many of the teenagers are unable to afford housing and have resorted to sleeping in cars or paying exorbitant fees to residents for temporary shelter. The 17-year-old recounted instances of being robbed and assaulted while trying to survive on the streets. Despite the hardships, he feels he cannot return to Morocco, where he believes his high school diploma offers limited opportunities. His family has encouraged him to remain in Ceuta, hoping for a better future.

Government Response and Disagreements

The responsibility for unaccompanied minors falls on regional governments, in Ceuta's case, the city itself. Spanish law permits the return of a child to their home country only under specific circumstances. The national government has allocated over 90 million euros to Ceuta for processing these minors, but the city claims it lacks the necessary resources.

Youth Minister Sira Rego stated that most minors in Ceuta wish to remain in Spain and "they will do so." However, Ceuta's Mayor Juan Vivas has urged national authorities to find solutions for returning Moroccan minors to their homes, emphasizing the difficulties faced on the ground.

Disagreements also persist over the number of migrants remaining in Ceuta. While Spain's interior minister initially suggested only 2,000 people remained, figures were revised upwards to 10,000 in September. Ceuta's mayor, however, estimates that up to 15,000 people are still in the city, acknowledging the number fluctuates daily. Similar uncertainties surround the count of unaccompanied minors.

Rights groups have criticized Spain for the lack of an official registry for all minors in the city. "We understand that the protection system is currently overwhelmed, but that does not change the fact that there should be an official registry of all individuals in the city who declare themselves to be minors," said Jennifer Zuppiroli, a migration expert at Save the Children in Spain.

As the situation persists, some minors have been relocated. In early October, Spanish police began clearing a beachside camp, with groups of migrants being bused to different locations. Rights groups expressed concern that some minors might have been taken to the border, though the 17-year-old heard that some ended up in shelters.

Fearful of deportation, he and others have gone into hiding. "I'm feeling tired for the first time since I came," he said in early October. "It's been two months and we're still living in the streets."