Madar (International) - The Spanish government faces mounting criticism from rights groups over its handling of thousands of migrants stranded in Ceuta since a mass crossing in late July, as authorities try to speed up asylum decisions and encourage voluntary returns, Reuters reported.
Eight organisations, including Oxfam and Amnesty International, have filed a complaint accusing the authorities of abuses including pushbacks and denying migrants interpretation services and legal aid. The Spanish government denied carrying out covert deportations, saying returns are voluntary.
A police union estimates that some 7,000 to 8,000 migrants remain in the city, spread across several locations, with insufficient resources to receive and register them.
Rights groups are calling for the most vulnerable to be moved to mainland Spain so their humanitarian situation, needs and protection requests can be assessed.
