Moroccan Parliament Debates Shocking Report on Abuse of "Mule Women" at Ceuta Border

At the initiative of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs and Moroccans Residing Abroad, within the House of Representatives, a temporary exploratory mission to the Ceuta border crossing conducted investigations and produced its report.

On Tuesday, July 9, the report of the Exploratory Mission was the subject of debates in Parliament. On this occasion, the members of the Government concerned were also present. In addition to the inhumane living conditions experienced by the "mule women", the report reveals the existence of large-scale smuggling at the Ceuta border crossing.

Members of the Exploration Commission spoke on the subject. They acknowledge that there is complicity between the authorities and the smugglers at the Ceuta border crossing.

Abdelfattah El Aouni, a PAM Parliamentarian, said "there is complicity with the smuggling mafia". For his part, Abdelwadoud Kharbouch, an RNI Deputy, pointed out that the food products that illegally enter Morocco through the Ceuta border crossing are past their expiry date and therefore constitute a danger to the health of Moroccans who consume them.

"If the State fails to put an end to the activities of the mafia, let it at least focus on the working conditions of the mule women, by providing them with sanitary facilities and covered places to protect themselves from the rain in winter and the sun in summer," he suggested.