From EUobserver · · 1m 40s
Ceuta Migrant Crisis
Ceuta becomes Europe's migrant dehumanisation lab.
In brief
Ceuta becomes Europe's migrant dehumanisation lab. Ceuta's migrants face military rule, food shortages, and rights violations as Spain's government refuses to transfer them to mainland Spain. Originally reported by EUobserver.
Ceuta's migrant crisis
We visited Ceuta to see how Europe treats people arriving at its borders and returned asking how Europe can still call itself a continent governed by law.
Migrant conditions
Migrants sleep under plastic sheets, children lack protection, food is distributed under military guard, and allegations of beatings and torture are common.
Ceuta as state of exception
Ceuta has become a state of exception where European law is suspended and arbitrary police and military rule prevails.
Apartheid-like segregation
Ceuta is a city abandoned by Spain, Europe and the law, where people are segregated by origin in circumstances recalling apartheid regimes.
Red Cross food distribution
The Red Cross distributes a single bag of cold food once daily under military guard to thousands of migrants who walk hours to reach it.
Military interference
Military forces prevent the Red Cross from distributing food to 1,000 people and can remove people from queues or deny them food.
Children on streets
Children live alone on streets without protection, and National Police refuse to identify them for help.
Hospital treatment
Migrants face separate treatment at Ceuta University Hospital and military personnel prevent them from waiting inside, including minors.
Torture allegations
Migrants report torture, beatings, theft, destruction of mobile phones, and forced head shaving or kneeling to kiss a Christian cross.
Racial profiling
Military personnel prevent racialised people from entering city centres, shops and supermarkets based on skin colour or clothing.
In short
Ceuta's migrants face military rule, food shortages, and rights violations as Spain's government refuses to transfer them to mainland Spain.
