Spain ignores EU and prepares transfer of 500 migrant girls from Ceuta

Live updates

1. 26d ago

   Spain to transfer 500 migrant girls from Ceuta to mainland

   Spain is preparing to transfer 500 migrant girls from Ceuta to the mainland, despite EU expectations that migrants who entered illegally be returned to Morocco. The move comes after reports of sexual assaults and concerns about the safety of minors living alone on Ceuta's streets. The Spanish government has identified 2,168 minors in Ceuta since July 30.

   Why it matters

   The situation in Ceuta has raised concerns about the treatment and safety of migrant minors. The EU has called for the repatriation of unaccompanied minors to Morocco, but Spain is taking a different approach. The transfer of the 500 girls is seen as a humanitarian measure to protect them from abuse and exploitation.

   What is confirmed

   • Spain has identified 2,168 minors in Ceuta since July 30.
   • The EU supports repatriation of unaccompanied migrant minors from Ceuta to Morocco.
   • UNICEF has called for the urgent identification of unaccompanied children in Ceuta.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Civil Liberties Commission urges Morocco to take action on the minors of Ceuta.

   What to watch next

   • The transfer of the 500 migrant girls to the mainland
   • The EU's response to Spain's decision
   • The impact on the situation in Ceuta
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. Euronews.com — Spain ignores EU and prepares transfer of 500 migrant girls from Ceuta
   2. dw.com — Minors living alone on Ceuta's streets at risk of abuse
   3. Truthdig — EU to Migrants: ‘Go Back to Where You’ve Never Been’
   4. Demócrata — Interior raises to 2,168 the minors identified in Ceuta since July 30.
   5. teleSUR English — UNICEF Calls for Urgent Identification of Unaccompanied Children in Ceuta
   6. The Guardian — Spain to allow 500 children in Ceuta to go to mainland in immigration U-turn
   7. The Telegraph — Plan to transfer Ceuta migrant girls to Spain after sex assaults
   8. dw.com — Ceuta: Madrid to transfer 500 vulnerable youths to mainland
   9. Al Jazeera — Spain plans transfer of 500 migrant children from Ceuta to mainland
   10. democrata.es — The Civil Liberties Commission urges Morocco to move from statements to actions with the minors of Ceuta.
   11. Yahoo — Ceuta migrant girls to transfer to Spain after sexual assaults
   12. news.cgtn.com — EU COMMISSION SPOKESPERSON: THERE IS A CLEAR EXPECTATION THAT ALL MIGRANTS WHO HAVE ENTERED ILLEGALLY TO CEUTA ARE RETURNED TO MOROCCO
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