Brussels, 14/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 14 February, the European Commission protested against violence committed by the Spanish police against migrants on the borders with the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and called for “explanations” from Madrid. As she called on the Greek authorities following the shipwreck this January off the island of Farmakonisi a few kilometres from the coast of Turkey, which left 12 dead, European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström called on the Spanish authorities on Friday 14 February to shed all possible light on any deportation of migrants from the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and on the use of riot gear.
Over a week ago, at least 12 illegal immigrants were drowned trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. These people were part of a group of 200. 23 people were summarily returned to Morocco, according to several NGOs. On this occasion, the Spanish authorities used riot gear to prevent the migrants from reaching Ceuta, as confirmed on 13 February by Home Affairs Minister Jorge Fernandez Díaz.
However, the Spanish government has rejected the premise that these returns to Morocco consisted of a refoulement exercise, violating international law. While admitting that the migrants had managed to reach the Spanish beach of El Tarajal in Ceuta, the home affairs minister explained that they had not reached Spanish soil as they did not pass the checkpoint and, therefore, “Spanish and European legislation was not applicable”, according to a press release by ECRE (European Council on Refugees and Exiles) and CEAR (Comision Española de Ayuda al Refugiado).
It appears to be this confirmation by the Spanish minister which has caused Commissioner Malmström's reaction. On Friday, her spokesperson pointed out that, although it is up to the member states to monitor their borders, any surveillance measure must be “proportionate” and respect the principle of non-refoulement. The Commission takes the view that “it is the duty of the Spanish authorities to assess the circumstances of the incident at Ceuta”, with Malmström expressing her great concern at Diaz's confirmation that riot gear was indeed used, including rubber bullets, for example. The commissioner threatened infringement proceedings and said that she was awaiting explanations from Madrid about this “serious issue”. (SP/transl.fl)