Migration: Ceuta-Krise: EU-Länder wollen Social Media besser beobachten

The European Union countries aim to display greater cohesion after their dispute over the Ceuta migration crisis and to better monitor social media as an early warning system, according to a joint statement from member countries following an ad-hoc video conference. The communication during crisis times should be coordinated more effectively and consistent, the member states announced after an extraordinary video conference.

The migration minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) also took part in the meeting. Last week, approximately 72,000 people crossed from Morocco to Ceuta, a Spanish enclave, and around 70,000 migrants returned to Morocco, according to Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The death toll has risen to 75 after the recovery of three additional bodies.

The crisis sparked a dispute between EU countries, with the majority of state and government leaders criticizing Spain's migration policy. Spain accused other member states of politically exploiting the crisis. EU Interior Ministers praised Spain's rapid and effective measures to manage the situation in Ceuta and expressed their sympathy for those who died while attempting to cross the border.

The EU Commission had called for the meeting to ensure cohesion and avoid doubts about the EU migration system, which came into force just seven weeks earlier. EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner stated during a special session in Brussels that Europe had passed a critical test so far. "No one has managed to enter the Schengen area, and border control has been swiftly secured," he said.

Social media played a significant role in the Ceuta crisis, as numerous migrants reported that they had become aware of the allegedly open border through videos and messages on platforms like TikTok. There was widespread hope that Ceuta would provide accommodation and facilitate further travel to the Spanish mainland. Consequently, the EU intends to monitor popular social networks more closely to better prepare for similar situations in the future.

The statement mentioned that developing early warning systems could be achieved through the monitoring of social media, and additional measures could include combating people trafficking networks and strengthening the EU's external borders with Frontex and physical barriers. EU Commissioner Brunner emphasized that the dramatic images had overshadowed even the best statistics.

862 unaccompanied children and young people were left in Ceuta, while only 29 places were available in the region. Spain is accommodating at least 862 children and young people, despite regular capacity of just 29 places, and has set up additional accommodations in repurposed buildings. The rights of minors are being respected in Spain, said Spanish Interior Minister Grande-Marlaska.

"This is one of our greatest commitments and priorities." Absorption centers and relocation of asylum procedures were also discussed during the meeting of Interior Ministers, even though most migrants were not registered as asylum seekers. Plans for "Return Hubs" to accommodate deportable non-refugees, who cannot be returned to their home countries due to refusal, have been under discussion for years and are highly controversial.

Germany is driving this project together with the Netherlands, Austria, Greece, and Denmark in a working group. Concrete agreements with third countries are expected to be reached in the coming year.