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

The delegation of the Ceuta government remains concerned about the situation of the minors who arrived in May and are waiting to be repatriated. The authorities of the autonomous city have still not obtained the information requested from Morocco to initiate the procedure for their return, in accordance with the applicable texts, El Faro de Ceuta reports.

According to the law on foreigners, the government delegate in Ceuta cannot initiate the repatriation procedure for a minor without knowing his "family situation" in his country of origin. This is the report that is currently awaited from Morocco, despite "all possible means" used by the local authorities to obtain it. In addition, a document from the Child Protection Service of the autonomous city must contain "any information on the minor’s situation".

To read: Morocco Stalls on Repatriation of Unaccompanied Minors, Spanish Official Says

The delegate must also ensure the best interests of each child. This is why, after a case-by-case study, he may decide whether the best solution is "reunification with his family or placement at the disposal of the protection services of his country of origin".

In total, 360 minors are still being cared for by the Ceuta administration, the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, said last Monday, denouncing Morocco’s attitude "which has only shown its willingness to actively collaborate in August", after the suspension of the operation to repatriate minors deemed "illegal" by the Spanish justice system, through which 55 minors were repatriated to Morocco.