Ceuta migrants: Spain moves to speed returns

Spain's cabinet approved a new single command for Ceuta on Tuesday to speed the return process for thousands of migrants who remain in the Spanish territory after a mass influx from Morocco in July.

Territorial Policy Minister Angel Víctor Torres will lead the command. He said the priority was the return and repatriation of the greatest possible number of people, adults and minors, while respecting Spanish law and human rights.

More than 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta in late July by swimming or crossing on foot from Morocco. Most have since returned, but between five percent and 10 percent of those who entered — about 3,500 to 7,000 people — remain in the enclave, including unaccompanied children who cannot simply be deported.

Spanish authorities must identify those still in Ceuta to determine whether they are entitled to international protection or whether return procedures can begin. Ceuta's regional government, controlled by the conservative Popular Party, has criticised the process as too slow.

The central government announced last week that reception centres would be created for 1,800 migrants. Government spokeswoman Elma Saiz said more temporary accommodation would be made available to restore normality in Ceuta.

Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's other North African enclave, have the European Union's only land borders with Africa. Their special arrangement within the Schengen free-travel zone means people cannot travel onwards to mainland Spain without border checks.