Society News

Spain U-turns on Ceuta: 500 migrant children to move to the mainland, against EU advice

Spain's government said on Wednesday, August 19, that it will move about 500 migrant children from its north African enclave of Ceuta to the mainland. The Guardian called it a U-turn: on August 13 Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska had said anyone entering Ceuta illegally would be sent back and would not reach the peninsula.

An estimated 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30, and most have since returned. Under Spanish law the state has a duty of care to unaccompanied minors. Al Jazeera, citing broadcaster RTVE, said Ceuta's shelters, with an ordinary capacity of 29 places, now hold about 1,350 children, and that UNICEF warned of “insecurity and unsanitary conditions”. Ceuta's leader said at least 100 people died during the crossings.

Hours before the plan was reported, the European Commission said EU law meant all irregular migrants in Ceuta should be returned, “including unaccompanied minors”.

“Return must be voluntary and accompanied by safeguards.” — Sira Rego, youth and children minister, via Al Jazeera

How each outlet framed it

• The Guardian — the reversal, and the clash with Brussels and conservative-run regions over who takes the children.
• Al Jazeera — the shelters at more than 4,600% of capacity, and sharp words from the People's Party and Vox.
• Euronews — Spain defying the EU with an urgent transfer of migrant girls.

Where the numbers differ: the Guardian put the July 30 crossing at about 70,000; earlier Spanish figures cited 72,000 entries. Death tolls range from 75 to at least 100.