Rabat – Spain’s Interior Ministry identified 2,500 minors in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, according to Minister of Inclusion Elma Saiz.
Saiz made her remarks during an interview with El País, covering the recent large crossing to the enclave on July 30 and 31.
“Identifications are not automatic procedures; you have to know that person’s life story. It is not the same when someone flees their country because their life is in danger as it is in other migration processes,” she said, with the report stressing that there is still no clear or specific number on the overall figure for the migrants remaining in Ceuta.
Three weeks ago at the end of July, tens of thousands of migrants crossed to the enclave – sparking one of the most intense campaigns targeting Morocco – which far-right and other politicians accused of deliberately facilitating irregular migration to pressure Spain.
Spanish reports estimate the number of entries between 70,000 and 80,000, while Moroccan official data said 40,000 headed to Ceuta and over 1,000 headed to Melilla.
Identification and appeals from Spanish authorities for migrants, including minors, to identify themselves continue – amid reports stating hundreds are still wandering the occupied streets.
Morocco and Spain responded to the influx with an agreement to return all migrants who entered at the crossing. Most of them returned, with Morocco urging Spanish authorities to speed up the process of returning others home.
Elma Saiz described the situation as complex, recalling the humanitarian assistance system, which now contributes to tackling the situation.
She, however, acknowledged campaigns inciting hatred towards migrants.
In the interview, the minister also accused PP of offering no solution. She said PP reached agreements with Vox to “remove subsidies from social organizations that provide food to migrants… All of this influences Vivas [Ceuta President]: the directives of a PP that governs with Vox,” she said.
