World · Singapore Bureau
Spain deports asylum seekers to Morocco as rights groups voice concern
Spain has returned more than a dozen migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia to Morocco after their asylum applications were rejected in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The deportation marks the first of its kind from the territory since a major border crossing incident in July.
LSN Singapore ·
MADRID - Spanish authorities have deported more than a dozen asylum seekers whose applications were unsuccessful back to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, officials confirmed this week. The migrants, originating from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, were among those who had attempted to seek refuge in the Mediterranean territory.
The deportation represents the first formal return of rejected asylum applicants from Ceuta since a significant surge in border crossings occurred in July, when thousands of migrants attempted to enter the Spanish enclave during a period of heightened tensions between Spain and Morocco.
Human rights organizations have expressed concern over the deportations, raising questions about the treatment of vulnerable populations and the adequacy of asylum processing procedures in the enclave. The groups have called for greater transparency regarding the status and welfare of deportees returned to Morocco.
Spain has faced mounting pressure to manage migration flows through its North African territories, which serve as entry points to Europe. The country has strengthened border controls and accelerated asylum application processing in recent months as part of broader efforts to address irregular migration.