Migrant Children in Ceuta Report Abuse and Violence in Morocco, NGO Finds

One minor out of six interviewed has suffered acts of violence or degrading treatment in Morocco before migrating to Spain, the organization says in a statement published by Europa Press. In collaboration with the Directorate General for Childhood and Adolescence (DGIA) of Ceuta, Save the Children is conducting individual interviews with these minors who are being cared for in temporary reception centers, after their mass arrival in Ceuta in May. As of July 2, the NGO has counted 209 minors of Moroccan origin in the Piniers center and 11 from sub-Saharan Africa in the Santa Amelia center.

To read: Moroccan Families Urge Migrant Children to Stay in Ceuta Amid Bleak Prospects at Home

The NGO says these minors, aged between 12 and 17, have stated in the interviews that they fled Morocco to escape violence and sexual abuse, forced marriage, or after being victims of labor exploitation, rejection or persecution by their families because of their sexual orientation. Among the over 200 Moroccan minors, 13 have expressed their intention to apply for asylum, Save The Children said.

"We have a duty to listen to the migrant children, girls and adolescents in Ceuta to ensure that their personal situation and needs are heard and taken into account for the decisions that concern them," said Catalina Perazzo, director of social and political impact of the organization.

To read: Spain Seeks Guarantees from Morocco Before Repatriating Migrant Children from Ceuta

To date, the total number of minors who arrived in the autonomous city between May 17 and 18 is estimated at 1,108, according to data from the Ceuta police.