Rabat – Tensions linked to the migration crisis in Ceuta have reportedly led to verbal and physical attacks against residents who were mistaken for migrants, according to Spanish newspaper El País.
One of the reported cases involved a 13-year-old girl who was born and raised in Ceuta. The girl, identified as Soraya Eguizábal, has a Basque surname and dark skin. According to El País, she was verbally attacked during a demonstration on Sunday after another woman apparently mistook her for a migrant.
The woman reportedly called the girl an “invader” and a “tuberculous” person and demanded to see her identification. She then continued to follow and insult the girl, according to the report.
The girl’s mother, Fatima Taieb, told El País that her daughter has been afraid to go outside since the incident and fears facing further insults or attacks when she returns to school. The family filed a complaint with police, although they said officers did not allow them to submit photos or videos of the alleged attacker.
Another incident reportedly took place the following day when Mohammed Charli, a Spanish resident of foreign descent, was physically attacked in central Ceuta after someone mistook him for a migrant, El País reported.
These incidents show the hostility and racism that migrants face in Ceuta, particularly when people are judged based on their appearance or perceived origin.
If residents who are mistaken for migrants can face verbal abuse and physical attacks simply because they are perceived as migrants, the incidents raise questions about the treatment of migrants themselves, who may have far fewer protections or opportunities to report abuse.
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Migrants who enter Ceuta irregularly may also face significant barriers to reporting mistreatment, particularly when they lack legal status, documentation, or familiarity with local authorities.
The incidents come amid heightened tensions in the Spanish enclave following the mass arrival of migrants in late July. The crisis has triggered repeated demonstrations, political disputes, and concerns over security and public services.
The tense atmosphere has also affected journalists covering the crisis. El País reported on September 8 that journalists in Ceuta had faced insults, physical attacks, and threats from some protesters who accused the media of favoring migrants or misrepresenting the situation.
The Spanish government has faced growing pressure over its handling of the crisis. On September 9, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain needs to improve its ability to anticipate and respond to what he described as “hybrid attacks” such as those that occurred on July 30 and 31.
The government also began releasing documents related to the crisis on September 9, including reports from Spanish security and intelligence agencies covering the period from July 1 to August 1. El País reported that the documents include information from the National Police, Guardia Civil, and National Intelligence Center.
