Reacting to the crossing of tens of thousands of people, including children, from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta and the reported deaths of 43 people, Esteban Beltrán, Director of Amnesty International Spain, said:
“We are monitoring this situation very closely. Spanish and Moroccan authorities must put their human rights obligations at the centre of their response to the situation. They must ensure access to the asylum system for those who request it and uphold the human rights of all migrants, irrespective of their mode of arrival, without discrimination.
“The large number of people arriving in Ceuta and the circumstances of crossings must not distract from the fact that under international law, the principle of non-refoulement is absolute and collective expulsions are prohibited in all cases.
Spanish and Moroccan authorities must put their human rights obligations at the centre of their response to the situation
Esteban Beltrán, Amnesty International Spain
