Spain Deports First Ceuta Migrants to Morocco Since July's Crisis

Spain deported more than a dozen migrants from Ceuta to Morocco on October 27, according to official figures, though non governmental organizations put the number at 16 people. Those deported were citizens of African, Middle Eastern and Asian countries whose asylum applications had been rejected, and it marks the first expulsion since the mass crossing of late July. Morocco agreed to take them back.

Amnesty International opposed the move. Researcher Virginia Alvarez said Spain is not ensuring that human rights guarantees are being met, and noted that Morocco does not respect many human rights.

Spain's Interior Ministry defended the deportations, saying they were carried out with all the necessary safeguards, and officials pointed out that the European Union classifies Morocco as a safe country.

The operation comes against the backdrop of the migration crisis that erupted in late July, when around 80,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in barely 48 hours and at least 100 died attempting the crossing. Roughly 8,000 people remain in the autonomous city today, some homeless and others housed in public or charity run facilities. The crisis has become one of the biggest political challenges for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ahead of the November 29 snap election, with the right wing opposition repeatedly criticizing his handling of the episode.