Unaccompanied migrant minors, including girls, have fled reception centers in the Spanish-occupied enclave of Ceuta, citing mistreatment and abuse by staff. According to El País, the Ceuta Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office received a report containing complaints from minors who escaped the centers. The complaints include physical abuse, insults, and lack of medical attention. The minors also reported being threatened with expulsion to Morocco.
The minors reported various forms of abuse, including physical punishment and verbal insults. One minor girl stated that staff members constantly called her and others “wh***.” She also reported being beaten and punished for requesting basic necessities like mobile phones or pillows. The girl showed a bruise on her thigh, which she attributed to the abuse. Other girls who escaped the center also have bruises and injuries.
A particularly disturbing incident occurred on September 10, when two security guards woke the girls up and made sexual insults and explicit threats of rape. The two guards involved in the incident were identified and removed from their positions. The report also mentioned that some girls are still inside the centers and have not managed to escape, citing one girl who did not receive medical attention after vomiting blood.
The mass migration of July 30-31 saw between 70,000 and 80,000 people enter the enclave of Ceuta, including minors. Most of these individuals were returned to Morocco as part of an agreement between Spain and Morocco. However, over 1,000 minors are still living on the streets of Ceuta. El País estimates that around 1,300 minors crossed into Ceuta during the mass migration.
Prior to the mass crossing, there were already around 700 unaccompanied minors in Ceuta’s reception system. Currently, there are 2,200 registered minors in the occupied city. The significant influx of minors has put a strain on the reception centers, which have been criticized for their treatment of the minors.
The situation in Ceuta highlights the challenges faced by unaccompanied minors who migrate to the enclave. Many of these minors are fleeing poverty, conflict, or persecution in their home countries. The abuse reported in the reception centers is a serious concern, and authorities must take steps to ensure the safety and well-being of these vulnerable individuals.
The Ceuta Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the complaints filed by the minors. The incident has sparked outrage and concern among human rights groups and local authorities. An investigation into the abuse and mistreatment of minors in Ceuta’s reception centers is ongoing.
Key points
- Minors in Ceuta reception centers reported physical abuse, insults, and inadequate medical care.
- Two security guards were removed from their positions after making sexual insults and threats of rape.
- There are currently 2,200 registered minors in Ceuta, with over 1,000 living on the streets.
