Hundreds of unaccompanied minors remain on Ceuta's streets two months after mass border crossing

Right · 2Hundreds of teenage migrants lined up outside a church in Ceuta in early October, hoping Spain's visiting youth minister would bring them passage to continental Europe or at least a shelter place, but they were instead led to a soccer field and within hours many were back on the streets and hillsides. 1 2 Right · 2The minors are among those who crossed into the Spanish city in North Africa in late July, when tens of thousands of people swam or climbed around a breakwater separating Morocco from Ceuta; about 140 people died trying to cross. 1 2 Right · 2The Associated Press report, run by both outlets, says the scene illustrated the Spanish government's slow, often improvised response; experts acknowledge the authorities' difficulties but say the government may be hoping many of the minors give up and go home. 1 2

Right · 2Under Spanish law, minors who arrive alone are entitled to shelter, health care and education, and a child can be returned to their home country only under specific circumstances; they are the responsibility of regional governments or, in Ceuta, the city. 1 2 Right · 2Spain's national government has told Ceuta to process under-18s case by case and approved more than 90 million euros ($101 million) in funding, but the city says it lacks the resources. 1 2 Right · 2Youth Minister Sira Rego said most minors in Ceuta wish to stay in Spain and "they will do so", while Ceuta's Mayor Juan Vivas has urged national authorities to find a way to send the minors back to Morocco. 1 2

Right · 2The two sides also disagree on how many migrants remain: Spain's interior minister initially said all but 2,000 had returned to Morocco, Spain revised that to up to 10,000 in September, and the mayor says up to 15,000 remain. 1 2 Right · 2Authorities say thousands of unaccompanied minors remain, but it is unclear how many are unsheltered, and Save the Children's Jennifer Zuppiroli said that although the protection system is overwhelmed, there should be an official registry of everyone who declares themselves a minor. 1 2 Right · 2Conditions in the makeshift camps were poor: children as young as 13 slept and showered among adult men who often fought, and a neighbourhood association president said "Our streets are littered with kids". 1 2

Right · 2Spanish prosecutors are investigating reports of torture and mistreatment of migrants, including minors, and in September Amnesty International reported allegations of cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment by Spanish soldiers, unsafe conditions for minors and sexual abuse of girls. 1 2 Right · 2In early October, Spanish police began bulldozing the beachside camp and bused groups of migrants elsewhere; some minors ended up in shelters, while rights groups and others said some were taken to the border. 1 2 Right · 2A 17-year-old from Tetouan, Morocco, who spoke anonymously for fear for his safety, said he sleeps in a car, was robbed or hit twice, expected only two to three weeks of hardship, and is hiding for fear of being sent back to Morocco. 1 2