Stuttgart – Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Spain is facing sharp criticism for not reestablishing safe and legal pathways for asylum seekers at its North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
Migrant rights NGOs are accusing Spanish authorities of pursuing an “unlawful” and “discriminatory” policy of pushbacks and expulsions, particularly affecting black asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan regions.
Organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, have jointly called for “genuine” and “effective” access to asylum through safer avenues.
Still, their appeals seem to have fallen on deaf ears, according to the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights.
Troubling incidents have marred Ceuta and Melilla, with reports of pushbacks and violent responses towards asylum seekers.
A tragic case in 2014, for example, involved Sub-Saharan refugees drowning while trying to navigate a seawall.
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Moreover, the COVID-era ban on new migrant crossings remains in place, compounding the challenges. Advocates have highlighted the plight of sub-Saharan Africans who have faced discrimination, in addition to pandemic-related restrictions.
Spain’s response to migration has also raised questions about accountability and justice, with many investigations into violent incidents having been criticized for their inadequacy, leaving concerns unresolved.
Spain and Morocco recently announced plans to intensify cooperation on border control, driving migrant rights NGOs to fear a worsening situation for asylum seekers.
