Spain to Remove Controversial Razor Wire from Morocco Border Fences

El faro de Ceuta has just called on the authorities of the enclave to emphasize that this same project had already been the subject of several promises that were ultimately postponed. Indeed, the Government had announced the removal of the "razor blades" as soon as Pedro Sánchez took office in June 2018. But, since then, nothing.

Let’s not forget, the "concertinas" are wires equipped with cutting blades installed since 2005 on the border fences between Ceuta and Melilla and Morocco, under the Government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. They have caused injuries to thousands of migrants who have tried to cross them.

In reality, the removal of the blades is part of the overall plan to strengthen and modernize the borders of the two autonomous cities. The local Ministry of the Interior intends to raise the fences in question, from 7 to 10 meters, with new deterrent and less dangerous installations.

After several postponements, the Ministry of the Interior has finally decided that only the "most vulnerable areas" will be affected by the removal of the sharp blades, i.e. those that have been the subject of several assaults. The project, which includes the replacement of the "concertinas", is estimated at nearly 33 million euros, 75% of which is financed by European funds.