LONDON, 04 August. - (ANA) - Ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of European countries’ ministries of interior on the European Union’s (EU) response to the situation in Ceuta, Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Europe said:

 

“As they prepare to meet, we call on European leaders to respond humanely and with solidarity to the situation in Ceuta, as well as any increases in arrivals across the EU external border. The initial response from many European states to the events in Ceuta has been deeply troubling and dangerous. The recent events must not be exploited for political gain to further shut down or externalize borders, nor as a cynical tool to legitimize the EU’s new deportation-first agenda.  

 

“Tragically, at least 72 people have lost their lives whilst trying to enter Europe to seek a better future. European leaders must ensure that their response to the situation in Ceuta does not perpetrate discrimination. The unconscionable rhetoric describing the situation in Ceuta as an ‘invasion’ and reinforcing racist stereotypes must be firmly rejected.

 

“The scenes we see are the result of Europe’s continued attempts to close and externalize its borders rather than invest in safe and regular pathways.

 

“Moreover, the political efforts to attribute the surge in arrivals to Spain’s regularization scheme, which closed on 30 June, are unfounded and a shameful attempt to spread fear about migration policies that do not focus on containment and deportation. Regularization schemes are an important and commonly used tool of migration management used to ensure affected people’s continued access to rights and services. They have been implemented by governments of various political colours in several European countries over many years.

 

“States have a responsibility to manage their borders humanely and avoid putting people in harm’s way. Spanish and Moroccan authorities must ensure access to the asylum system for those who request it, refrain from collective expulsions which are always unlawful, provide urgent humanitarian assistance to those in need and uphold their human rights irrespective of their mode of arrival, without discrimination.”  

 

 

 

 

Ceuta authorities stated that over 60,000 people are estimated to have crossed, with 48,000 estimated to have returned to Morocco. Spain has deployed army units in Ceuta to support the police and the Guardia Civil.

 

Reports indicate that thousands of people are sleeping on the streets.

 

Amnesty International will continue to monitor the situation for any evidence of human rights violations, such as excessive use of force or violations including in the obligation of non-refoulement.  - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/04 August 2026 - - -