Sittings · Document
On the recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Erik Marquardt, Ana Miranda Paz, Mélissa Camara, Tineke Strik, Nicolae Ștefănuță, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez
Parliament's resolution responds to the sudden arrival of around 80 000 people from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July 2026, and the deaths of at least 141 people at sea.¶¶ It expresses sorrow for the dead, solidarity with Ceuta and Spain, and concern at the humanitarian crisis, with thousands still sleeping rough and reports of police violence and obstruction of humanitarian workers.¶¶¶ It condemns Morocco for inciting border crossings through misinformation, rejects the characterisation of migrant children as invaders, and demands individual decisions on return and family reunification.¶¶¶ It criticises Italy's and Germany's internal border controls, calls for transfers of unaccompanied minors within Spain, and asks the Commission to review EU funding to Morocco and suspend it from the EU list of safe countries of origin.¶¶¶
Key points
- Expresses deep regret for the 141 people who died on 30 and 31 July 2026 and calls on Spanish and Moroccan authorities to identify the dead and enable repatriation of bodies.¶
- Expresses solidarity with the citizens of Ceuta and Spain and applauds families, associations and non-governmental associations that provided humanitarian assistance.¶
- Stresses the need for stronger coordination and shared responsibility between regional, state and EU administrations, with sufficient resources and rapid response mechanisms for Ceuta.¶
- Notes reports of push-backs and difficulties accessing international protection, and says the crisis was worsened by refusal to transfer unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable people to other regions.¶
- Calls for immediate action to guarantee basic needs, dignity and fundamental rights of people sleeping in the streets and on the beach more than 45 days after the events.¶
- Condemns obstruction, criminalisation and intimidation of humanitarian workers, and calls on Spain to protect them and on the Commission to monitor the situation.¶
- Condemns reported police violence and disproportionate use of force by Spanish law enforcement in Ceuta, and calls for full transparency on decisions taken before and during the crisis.¶¶
- Calls for individual procedures with all guarantees for international protection and return, recalls that collective expulsions violate EU and international law, and seeks an accelerated procedure for nationals of countries with a high recognition rate.¶
- Condemns the Moroccan authorities for inciting border crossings through misinformation and using people's lives for international interests, and criticises Spain's dismissal of Moroccan responsibility.¶¶
- Condemns political instrumentalisation of the crisis to spread racist and xenophobic narratives, rejects calling migrant children invaders or security risks, and demands individual decisions on return and family reunification.¶¶¶
- Notes EUR 114.7 million in emergency EU funding to Spain, calls for sustained long-term EU funding for reception in Ceuta, and urges transfer of adults and minors to the mainland.¶
- Calls for a rights-based EU migration policy, suspension of Morocco from the EU list of safe countries of origin, a Commission review of EU funding to Morocco, and criticises Italy's and Germany's internal border controls as unnecessary and disproportionate.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Ceuta and its residents: the resolution demands sufficient resources, rapid response mechanisms and a return to normality.¶
- Migrants and unaccompanied minors in Ceuta: it demands basic needs, shelter, protection and individual procedures.¶¶¶
- Spain: it is asked to protect humanitarian workers, ensure transparency, and manage external borders while providing access to international protection.¶¶¶
- Morocco: the resolution condemns its role and seeks its suspension from the EU list of safe countries of origin.¶¶
- Italy and Germany: their internal border controls are criticised as neither necessary nor proportionate.¶
Figures and deadlines
- around 80 000 people arrived irregularly in Ceuta on 30 and 31 July 2026¶
- at least 141 people lost their lives at sea trying to reach Ceuta¶
- around 70 000 people returned to Morocco within two days, and a further 5 000 within seven days¶
- approximately 10 000 migrants remain in Ceuta, more than 2 000 of whom are unaccompanied minors and 20 % of whom are girls¶
- 4 500 emergency reception places for adults and families, rising soon to more than 6 000, and 2 000 places for unaccompanied minors¶
- Spain mobilised EUR 309 million for Ceuta, including nearly EUR 63 million for unaccompanied migrant children, plus an additional EUR 25 million¶
- Italy introduced internal border controls with Spain from 1 August 2026 until 1 September 2026, extended until 16 September 2026¶
- the Commission granted EUR 114.7 million in emergency funding to Spain from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Integrated Border Management Fund¶
Legal basis: Article 80 TFEU, on the provisions on freedom, security and justice¶
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.