Sittings · Document
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
15.9.2026 B100406/55
Amendment 55
Estrella Galán, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Pernando Barrena Arza
on behalf of The Left Group
Motion for a resolution B100406/2026
PPE
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| C. whereas between 29 and 31 July 2026, approximately 80 000 migrants crossed irregularly into Ceuta from Morocco, by land and sea, and several hundred crossed into Melilla; whereas at least 141 people died during the crossing; whereas up to 11 000 irregular migrants refused to return to Morocco and remain in Ceuta; whereas the exact number of deaths and crossings and the identities of those remaining are still unknown; | C. whereas between 29 and 31 July 2026, approximately 80 000 migrants crossed irregularly into Ceuta from Morocco, by land and sea, and several hundred crossed into Melilla; whereas at least 141 people lost their lives at sea trying to reach Ceuta; whereas most of the people who died have not yet been identified; whereas the families of the few identified bodies have not been able to have them repatriated to Morrocco because of the Moroccan authorities’ refusal; |
Or. en
15.9.2026 B100406/56
Amendment 56
Estrella Galán, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Pernando Barrena Arza
on behalf of The Left Group
Motion for a resolution B100406/2026
PPE
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| D. whereas Ceuta, with a resident population of approximately 84 500, has been invaded and has seen its reception facilities, health services and infrastructure brought close to collapse; whereas evidence on the ground, including statements from the Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office, indicates that sexual violence has risen, including forced prostitution of migrant children; whereas normal life has not resumed, residents, workers and businesses continue to suffer lasting consequences, public order and security remain at risk, and children are returning to school under armed escort, demonstrating that the situation remains far from resolved; | D. whereas it is estimated that approximately 10 000 migrants remain in Ceuta, of whom over 2 000 are unaccompanied minors, 20 % of which are girls; whereas many people still have no access to shelters despite the opening of 4 500 new emergency reception places for adults and families, which, according to the Spanish authorities, will soon be increased to over 6 000 places, with a further 2 000 places for unaccompanied minors; |
Or. en
15.9.2026 B100406/57
Amendment 57
Estrella Galán, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Pernando Barrena Arza
on behalf of The Left Group
Motion for a resolution B100406/2026
PPE
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Da. whereas the Spanish Government has introduced several mechanisms to enable the reception of unaccompanied minors in other parts of the country; whereas the implementation of these mechanisms requires the cooperation and action of the competent regional child protection authorities, which has yet to take place at the scale required by the current emergency; whereas, as regards applicants for international protection, including from countries with a high recognition rate and vulnerable persons, no transfers to others parts of the country have taken place yet; whereas the absence of transfers may exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and the dire situation being experienced by the population of Ceuta; |
Or. en
15.9.2026 B100406/58
Amendment 58
Estrella Galán, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Pernando Barrena Arza
on behalf of The Left Group
Motion for a resolution B100406/2026
PPE
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| E. whereas repeated warnings from local authorities and security and intelligence services had been conveyed to the Spanish Government, as per the confidential reports disclosed on 9 September, indicating that pressure at the border had been building well before those days; whereas during the crisis, the Assembly of Ceuta unanimously called on the national government to close the border, declare a national emergency, convene the National Security Council, appoint a single coordinating authority and deploy the armed forces; whereas the Spanish Government failed to act on those calls; | E. whereas Ceuta and Melilla’s borders are external borders of the EU; whereas many of those who arrived irregularly in Ceuta were reportedly victims of false information and used for political pressurisation and destabilisation; whereas some reports have highlighted allegations of Morocco’s involvement; |
Or. en
15.9.2026 B100406/59
Amendment 59
Estrella Galán, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Pernando Barrena Arza
on behalf of The Left Group
Motion for a resolution B100406/2026
PPE
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ea. whereas the events in Ceuta were rapidly and simultaneously used by far-right political actors and networks in various countries to amplify narratives portraying migration as an ‘invasion’ and migrants as a threat, using a humanitarian and geopolitical crisis to advance xenophobic political agendas and destabilise the Spanish Government and the EU; |
Or. en
15.9.2026 B100406/60
Amendment 60
Estrella Galán, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Pernando Barrena Arza
on behalf of The Left Group
Motion for a resolution B100406/2026
PPE
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Eb. whereas children in Ceuta, including migrant children and Ceuti children, have been exposed to threats, racist harassment and violence; whereas rhetoric portraying children as ‘invaders’ or security threats risks normalising hostility and violence against them; |
Or. en
15.9.2026 B100406/61
Amendment 61
Estrella Galán, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Pernando Barrena Arza
on behalf of The Left Group
Motion for a resolution B100406/2026
PPE
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ec. whereas the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning them; whereas unaccompanied children may face heightened risks of trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, exploitation, disappearance and re-victimisation; whereas girls, younger children and children who have experienced violence may have specific protection and care needs; whereas, under Spain’s decentralised child protection system, responsibility for the care and protection of unaccompanied children lies with the Autonomous Communities and Autonomous Cities of Spain; whereas exceptional pressure is being placed on one territorial child protection system and requires the effective mobilisation of available protection capacity throughout the country; |
Or. en
15.9.2026 B100406/62
Amendment 62
Estrella Galán, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Pernando Barrena Arza
on behalf of The Left Group
Motion for a resolution B100406/2026
PPE
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 3. Condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the mass illegal crossings into Ceuta from Morocco, by land and by sea, and the instrumentalisation of irregular migration as a tool of hybrid warfare against the territorial integrity of a Member State; considers it of the utmost priority to strengthen the protection of the EU’s external land and maritime borders in Ceuta; | 3. Acknowledges reports that indicate attempts by the Moroccan authorities to incite border crossings through misinformation; condemns the Moroccan authorities for using people’s lives, including those of minors and its own citizens, to pursue international interests; emphasises that people who crossed the border must not be reduced to instruments of geopolitical strategy or treated as a mere means to an end, and that they are victims of this situation; |
Or. en
15.9.2026 B100406/63
Amendment 63
Estrella Galán, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Pernando Barrena Arza
on behalf of The Left Group
Motion for a resolution B100406/2026
PPE
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph4
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4. Regrets the loss of life that occurred during the illegal crossing; recalls that these deaths could have been prevented had the necessary measures been taken on both sides to stop the illegal crossing before it took place; | 4. Expresses its deep regret and sorrow over the 141 people who died during the events of 30 and 31 July 2026; calls on the Spanish and Moroccan authorities to do their utmost to identify those who died and enable the repatriation of the bodies to their families; |
Or. en
15.9.2026 B100406/64
Amendment 64
Estrella Galán, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Pernando Barrena Arza
on behalf of The Left Group
Motion for a resolution B100406/2026
PPE
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 5. Calls on the Spanish Government to urgently deploy all necessary measures to restore normality in Ceuta, including adequate security and economic support for affected businesses, workers and residents; | 5. Calls for coordination and shared responsibility between regional, state and EU administrations to be strengthened, providing Ceuta with sufficient resources and rapid response mechanisms to return to normality, including adequate economic support for affected businesses, workers and residents; |
Or. en