Over 1,500 adults and minors have reached Ceuta by sea in fresh days. The head of the local government Juan Jesús Vivas warns that reception centers are overflowing. It is simply a humanitarian crisis and at the same time proof that European border policy is reacting besides late.
Over 1,500 people in a fewer days
More than 1,500 migrants, both adults and minors, have arrived at Spanish Ceuta in fresh days by sea. This information was provided by Juan Jesús Vivas, head of the autonomous city government. According to the French portal Fdesouche, Vivas besides stated that the local reception centers were overflowing.
The number refers to a short period and shows the scale of the burden on a tiny territory. Ceuta lies on the north coast of Africa, but belongs to Spain, which is why it is 1 of the most susceptible sections of the external border of the European Union.
The Humanitarian work and work of the State
Medical assistance, water, shelter and safe conditions should be provided to persons drawn from the sea. Minors request peculiar protection. In view of the tragedy and the hazard of failure of life, there is no place for contempt or sensation.
However, rescue aid cannot replace border policy. Spain must establish the identity of its arrivals, identify who truly needs global protection, and carry out legal procedures against others. Without an efficient return system, the centres will fill up faster than the administration can make more seats.
Overcrowding is simply a result, not a cause
When the centres are full, it is easy to request additional money, staff and relocation. This may temporarily reduce the force on Ceuta, but it does not answer the question why the border allowed specified a large influx in specified a short time.
Any policy that starts to work only after a migrant has arrived within the EU encourages further trials. Maritime rescue must go hand in hand with border protection, cooperation with countries of origin and transit and a clear message that illegal crossing is not an automatic residence licence in Europe.
Pressure doesn't end in Spain.
The overflowing centres in the south rapidly become an argument for transferring migrants to another associate States. Here the crisis in Ceuta is straight affecting Poland. Brussels must not impose on Warsaw the work for ineffective protection of the border on which Poland's policy was not affected.
Poland can support Spain with equipment, experts and actions to defend the external border. She should not renounce the sovereign right to decide who will live in her territory. Security, the ability of schools and wellness care and public spending are a concrete stake, not an abstract ideological dispute.
Vivas' words should be taken seriously. Overcrowding means deteriorating conditions for migrants and the failure of control by the administration. At the same time, liable Europe must defend human life and its own borders. The resignation of any of these duties ends in a crisis.
Source: Fdesouche
