Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Interior has called on Spanish authorities to assume their responsibilities and work to speed up the procedures for returning unaccompanied Moroccan minors in Ceuta to their families in Morocco.
The ministry’s spokesperson called for accelerating the procedures for returning the minors, while safeguarding their best interests and overcoming the administrative and judicial obstacles delaying their return.
“Combating irregular migration and human trafficking networks cannot rely on the efforts of one party alone. Rather, it requires all parties to assume their responsibilities and fulfill their commitments within the framework of shared responsibility,” the ministry said.
The ministry said the issue requires effective, balanced cooperation, and mutual commitment from all parties.
“The Ministry reiterates the central importance of this mechanism, which previous experience has demonstrated to be effective and to have made a real contribution to addressing the challenges at hand and strengthening field interventions,” the spokesperson said today.
The remarks came following criticism and anti-Morocco rhetoric, especially from far-right politicians, who have continued to target Morocco for years, even before the Ceuta mass crossing of July 30.
The mass crossing is one of the largest irregular migrations that the Spanish enclave witnessed in recent years, with Spanish reports estimating the entries at between 70,000 and 80,000.
Morocco’s Ministry of Interior assessment said 40,000 headed to Ceuta and more than 1,000 headed to Melilla in the Ceuta migration crossing on July 30.
Most of the irregular migrants were returned to Morocco following their entry, based on an agreement Morocco and Spain concluded to tackle the crisis.
Morocco has also immediately cooperated with Spanish authorities and reaffirmed that the issue of irregular migration should be tackled through “shared responsibility.”
“The Ministry of Interior concluded by affirming that the Moroccan authorities will continue to fulfill their duties with firmness and responsibility, ensuring the protection of public order and the safety of people and property,” the spokesperson said, while also emphasizing efforts to combat human trafficking networks.
“They will also maintain the highest levels of vigilance and readiness, as well as continuous coordination to address various risks, in full compliance with the provisions of the law,” the spokesperson concluded.
