Sittings · Document

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2870(RSP)) 2026-09-14

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 S&D Group · Rapporteur: Ana Catarina Mendes, Birgit Sippel, Juan Fernando López Aguilar

Official HTML ↗ PDF DOCX
✦ In shortFull text
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 18 Sept 2026

Parliament's resolution responds to the sudden arrival of around 80 000 people from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July 2026, which it calls a hybrid attack on the EU's territorial integrity. It expresses sorrow for the 141 people who died at sea, solidarity with Spain and Ceuta, and welcomes EUR 114.7 million in emergency EU funding to Spain. It criticises Italy's internal border controls with Spain as neither necessary nor proportionate, and stresses that those arriving in Ceuta could not travel onwards. It calls on Spanish regional authorities to relocate around 1 200 unaccompanied minors from Ceuta under Spanish Law 4/2000, and on the EU to fight disinformation, smuggling and trafficking.

Key points

  1. Expresses deep regret for the 141 people who died at sea on 30 and 31 July 2026 and recalls that migrants exploited by hostile actors are victims.
  2. Considers the events in Ceuta a hybrid attack on the EU's territorial integrity by hostile international actors, criminal smugglers and traffickers hoping to divide Europe.
  3. Restates support for multilateralism and the rules-based international order, saying any attempt to undermine Spain's sovereignty violates international law and the UN Charter.
  4. Welcomes the Commission's emergency funding of EUR 114.7 million to Spain and calls for sustained, structural long-term EU funding for infrastructure in Ceuta, including shelter for unaccompanied minors.
  5. Expresses dismay at some Member States' initial reaction blaming Spain, and says solidarity between Member States is the only answer to hybrid attacks.
  6. Expresses solidarity with Spain and Ceuta, applauds the Spanish security forces' response, and welcomes protection of unaccompanied minors under EU law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  7. Welcomes the solidarity expressed at the informal video conference of Ministers of the Interior on 4 August 2026 and notes that Spain-Morocco cooperation enabled swift returns and de-escalation.
  8. Recalls that under Article 41 of the Schengen Borders Code those arriving irregularly in Ceuta cannot travel onwards to the Spanish mainland or other Schengen states, and that the Schengen area was never at risk.
  9. Criticises Italy's introduction of internal border controls with Spain from 1 August 2026 as neither necessary nor proportionate, and regrets their prolongation until 16 September 2026.
  10. Calls on Spanish regional authorities to comply with Spanish Law 4/2000 and agree to relocate unaccompanied foreign minors from Ceuta for fair distribution throughout Spain.
  11. Holds disinformation networks, criminal smugglers and human traffickers responsible for the events and calls for stepped-up EU efforts against disinformation, smuggling and trafficking.
  12. Calls on Member States to respect EU and international law, including the Geneva Convention and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and on the Spanish Government to treat unaccompanied minors and vulnerable people with respect.

Who is affected

  • Spain and Ceuta: solidarity expressed, emergency funding welcomed, and calls to protect external borders and relocate unaccompanied minors.
  • Italy: its internal border controls with Spain from 1 August 2026 are criticised as neither necessary nor proportionate.
  • Unaccompanied minors in Ceuta: around 1 200 must be treated under EU law and relocated for fair distribution in Spain.
  • Member States: urged to show solidarity with targeted states and respect EU and international law when responding to such events.
  • Morocco: cooperation with Spain enabled swift returns and is described as essential to de-escalation.

Figures and deadlines

  • around 80 000 people arrived irregularly from Morocco into 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 5 000 irregular migrants remain in Ceuta, of whom around 1 200 are unaccompanied minors
  • Italy's internal border controls with Spain ran from 1 August 2026 until 1 September 2026, prolonged until 16 September 2026
  • emergency funding of EUR 114.7 million granted to Spain from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Instrument for Border Management and Visa Policy

Legal basis: Article 80 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

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.