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Over 300 migrants return to Morocco after Ceuta clearing

Over 300 migrants return to Morocco after Ceuta clearing

Just over 300 of the close to 500 people cleared on October 11 from the Guano esplanade in Ceuta returned voluntarily to Morocco after identification, while 70…

--- The context --- In Ceuta, the esplanade of the former Guano factory held the last large settlement remaining in the autonomous city since the mass entry of migrants recorded in late July, while the administrative situation of many people remained pending resolution. --- The facts --- On Sunday, October 11, close to 500 people were cleared from that esplanade and taken to the Temporary Attention Centre for Foreigners so that they could be identified. According to police sources, just over 300 there expressed their wish to return to Morocco and their voluntary return was arranged. That return in a single day significantly reduced the settlement. The city continues to face the consequences of the mass entry recorded 74 days ago, and part of those who remain in Ceuta are still waiting for their administrative situation to be resolved. --- The positions --- According to police sources, the returns followed the operation by the National Police to dismantle the settlement. Among those cleared, some 70 requested international protection and another 30 were identified as minors, according to police sources. --- What remains unknown --- It has not been specified how and when the administrative situation of those who remain in Ceuta will be resolved. Nor has it been detailed what follow-up the requests for international protection will receive or what measures will accompany the people identified as minors, a point that requires particular sobriety. --- Unanswered questions --- What timelines and criteria will be applied to resolve the administrative situation of those who remain in Ceuta? How will the requests for international protection presented after the clearing be processed? What attention and follow-up will the people identified as minors receive? --- EPM analysis --- In recent weeks, security forces also intervened in the camps set up on the beaches of Benítez and Trampolín, which emerged after the migration crisis of late July. The central fact of this day is, however, a decision expressed by the transferred people themselves. Just over 300 chose voluntary return after identification, while other paths, such as international protection, were raised and remain pending, which leaves the focus on how each individual situation will be handled. 📌 EPM Take: In EPM's view, voluntary return should be read above all as a decision by the people who expressed it after their identification, not only as the result of an operation. That reading requires the same attention for those who returned and for those who remain in Ceuta with their administrative situation pending or with a request for international protection under way. Without resolving those cases clearly and without sober treatment of the identified minors, closing the settlement will leave the most important part of the problem open.
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