Amnesty International has documented 28 new cases of alleged mistreatment of migrants by members of the Spanish Armed Forces in Ceuta, according to an investigation released this Thursday. These findings bring the total number of documented abuse cases in the autonomous city to 50 since the mass arrival of migrants from Morocco on July 30 and 31.
New allegations of abuse by military personnel
The organization’s report details accounts of beatings, humiliations, and vexations, noting that 13 of the victims are minors. Amnesty International stated that some of these incidents, due to their severity, could constitute torture. The report further specifies that 18 of these 28 new cases occurred after the Spanish Ministry of Defense announced an internal investigation into previous allegations of mistreatment, which were initially brought to light by reports and audiovisual evidence published by Eldiario.es.
According to the testimony gathered by the organization, common practices reportedly include the use of fists, kicks, batons, and even tasers. Amnesty International noted that in several instances, victims were targeted while defenseless and sleeping on the streets. The group documented physical injuries on victims that appear consistent with strikes from rigid defensive gear, as well as fractures and head trauma requiring stitches.
Investigation into police and civil guard conduct
In addition to the actions attributed to the military, the report identifies seven cases of mistreatment involving the National Police and the Civil Guard. These findings were compiled during an October 23–26 visit to Ceuta. Despite the ongoing investigations, the organization stated it has no evidence that any specific military personnel have been suspended or placed under investigation, nor that victims or witnesses have been provided with protection against potential reprisals.
Amnesty International has formally requested that the Ministry of Defense and the Ceuta Prosecutor’s Office conduct a swift, impartial, and exhaustive investigation. The organization is calling for the precautionary removal of any military personnel implicated in the abuse to determine both criminal and disciplinary responsibilities. Three months after the initial surge at the border, an estimated 3,000 adults and 500 unaccompanied minors remain living on the streets of Ceuta.
Identification of Moroccan police commanders
Separately, the General Commissariat of Information of the National Police has submitted a report to the National Court in Spain regarding the July border crossing, as reported by the Catalan newspaper ARA. This report analyzes five videos from open sources that show two high-ranking Moroccan police commanders near the Tarajal border crossing during the event.
The officials identified are Mohamed El Oualidi, the police prefect for the Tetouan region, and Abdel Fattah El Sayed El Radi, the general supervisor for M’diq-Fnideq. The documentation describes both men as holding the highest operational command rank for the security deployment organized by Moroccan authorities on July 30 and 31. One 16-second video clip shows El Oualidi in uniform appearing to give instructions to migrants, using gestures to direct their movement toward specific areas.
Amnesty International has denounced the severe abuse of migrants in Ceuta following late July’s mass border entry. A new investigation reveals a disturbing pattern of physical violence, sleep deprivation, and racist, anti-Muslim harassment by Spanish military units. Hundreds of… pic.twitter.com/cEtMpyxkt5
Current status of the investigation
The National Court continues to review evidence regarding the mass entry of migrants. Meanwhile, the legal and administrative process regarding the allegations of abuse by Spanish security forces remains at a stage where the organization reports a lack of concrete disciplinary action. Amnesty International maintains that the reported abuses are persistent and reflect a culture of impunity for those responsible for human rights violations.
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