Spanish Government Admits Detaining Moroccan Migrants in Containers at Ceuta Border

In a letter, Iñarritu informed the Pedro Sanchez administration that the Civil Guard "would lock up for hours in a container" all Moroccan migrants arrested while trying to enter Ceuta illegally. "Apparently, the Moroccan authorities only accept their nationals at specific times of the day, so the Civil Guard chooses to lock up the migrants," Iñarritu explained in his note.

Following this letter, the MP sent a series of written questions to the Ministry of the Interior to find out if the information is verified, since when this practice has started and how many Moroccan migrants have already been detained in this container. Iñarritu also asked if the protocol in force regarding the return of migrants is respected and if the government plans to open an investigation.

In its response, which came thirty days later, the Moncloa acknowledged the veracity of the information, specifying that the "facility" and not the "container" has allowed migrants to "shelter from the elements." It began to be used "during the second half of 2021," has a capacity of "twenty-eight cubic meters" and has "lighting," as well as "several toilets," the Executive informs.

The Moroccan migrants kept there receive "water, food, dry clothes and, if necessary, are recognized by the Red Cross. Furthermore, if the circumstances require it, we proceed to medical evacuations," adds the Interior. Regarding the return protocol, the Executive welcomes "the active and frank cooperation of Morocco to whom "immediate notification is made" to request its agents "to present themselves on site to proceed with the return of migrants."