Morocco Stalls on Repatriation of Migrant Minors to Spain’s Ceuta

For the first time, the Moroccan authorities have responded to the request for information from the government delegation in Ceuta on the family situation of the minors who arrived en masse in the autonomous city last May. Since the end of August that the Spanish justice has suspended the "illegal" returns of these minors to Morocco, the government delegation has sent "more than 700" requests to Morocco through its diplomatic representation, to which the kingdom has just partially responded.

To read: Spain Awaits Crucial Data from Morocco to Repatriate 700 Unaccompanied Minors in Ceuta

Police sources have confirmed to El Diario that Morocco has provided the individual and "quite complete" files of 75 minors, but "do not know if they meet the requirements of the regulations relating to the return of minors." According to the legislation in force, the Delegation must have a report on the "family situation" of each minor in his country of origin, as well as the report of the child protection service, before formally initiating any return procedure. The minors must also benefit from legal assistance.

To read: Moroccan Minors in Ceuta Resist Repatriation, Citing Abuse at Home

Of the 1,343 minors (1,256 boys and 87 girls) registered in May, only 344 are still under the guardianship of the regional administration, the rest preferring to wander the streets rather than return to Morocco. "Many have fled the centers for fear of being deported, others had to leave after reaching the age of majority (18)..." explain sources from NGOs closely following the situation of these minors, adding that "dozens" have also stopped attending the schools set up by the Ministry of Education in Piniers.

To read: Spain Relocates Moroccan Migrant Minors from Ceuta to Mainland Regions

Furthermore, the Ceuta government has transferred 199 minors to other autonomous communities. "We don’t know if the 75 files sent by Morocco correspond to children still in Ceuta or already moved to other cities. Thus, the Delegation of each territory would be competent to decide on their possible repatriation," explained judicial sources.