Minors living alone on Ceuta's streets at risk of abuse
Several thousand unaccompanied minors have gathered in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the northern coast of Africa. Illness and abuse are rife, and the authorities admit they are overwhelmed.
At precisely 8 a.m. in Ceuta's industrial park, the bustling construction site had transformed into a shelter for numerous unaccompanied minors. Tents, often crafted from cardboard, provided makeshift homes for these children and teenagers, many of them sleeping on damp blankets. Estimates suggest that between 3,000 and 5,000 unaccompanied minors currently reside in Ceuta.
For instance, 14-year-old Moroccan girl Amina and her brother are among the 9,000 individuals still present in the city, lacking sufficient reception facilities.
Amina voiced her concerns, stating that the lack of proper sanitation facilities forces her to relieve herself in the bushes, fearing potential danger. Nearby, Moroccan woman Malika, who has brought her four children to Ceuta, expressed her financial struggles, earning only €7 ($8) daily. She also mentioned the inability to afford essential items, such as books and suitable clothing for her children, prompting her to join the recent influx of migrants.
One of the most alarming issues faced by these minors is the escalating rate of sexual assaults, with police investigating at least 15 alleged rape cases over the past week. The actual number may be significantly higher. Emergency doctor Susana Ascaso at Ceuta University Hospital has witnessed numerous cases of young girls suffering from harassment and inappropriate touching. A 12-year-old girl recently sought medical attention after experiencing such incidents.
Politicians in Ceuta, including regional health and social affairs minister Nabila Benzina and city president Juan Jesus Vivas, have called for increased government support. They emphasize the urgent need for more police officers to protect the vulnerable, particularly young women, and ensure the general safety of the population. Ceuta is reportedly operating at a 5,000% capacity, with resources stretched too thin to adequately care for the growing number of minors.
The Spanish government has proposed transferring unaccompanied minors to the mainland, though no specific timeline has been set. Some regions with far-right political affiliations, such as Vox, refuse to accept these migrants, arguing that Moroccan social services should take responsibility. Minors in Ceuta, however, express a desire to remain in the enclave, citing their refusal to return to Morocco or other African nations due to the dire living conditions.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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