Lorraine Williamson
The major operation on Friday was intended to move people from makeshift settlements at the Benítez and El Trampolín beaches. But by Saturday morning, the beaches were filling again as those unable to secure a place at the port continued to wait for alternative accommodation.
At least 3,400 remain without a place
Around 1,700 people were transferred to the temporary facility at Ceuta’s Muelle de Poniente on Friday following an operation involving Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil.
The facility reached capacity within hours. According to figures reported on Saturday morning, at least 3,400 migrants remain without a place in the port accommodation, with many returning to or remaining around the Benítez and El Trampolín beaches.
The 1,700 people admitted to the port facility spent their first night there without significant reported incidents. However, the number of people still requiring accommodation means the opening of the centre has not resolved the wider situation.
Friday’s transfer brought moments of tension
Friday’s operation began early in the morning as authorities attempted to move people from the two beach settlements towards the port.
The limited number of available places contributed to moments of tension as some people ran towards the facility amid fears they would be left without accommodation. Police and Guardia Civil subsequently organised access in smaller groups.
The Government had estimated on Friday that between 9,000 and 10,000 migrants remained in Ceuta overall, considerably more than could be accommodated at the new port facility.
Audiencia Nacional examines challenge to port camp
There has also been a significant legal development on Saturday.
The Audiencia Nacional has admitted a challenge brought by the Sindicato Unificado de Policía (SUP) against the use of part of Ceuta’s port as temporary migrant accommodation.
The court has ordered the Ministry of Transport to provide the administrative files relating to the facility within 20 days, including an index of any documents classified as confidential and access to those documents if required by the court.
Importantly, admitting the case does not mean the court has ruled that the camp is unlawful.
The same court rejected an attempt earlier this week to stop the facility opening immediately, allowing Friday’s transfer to proceed while the underlying legal challenge is considered.
Police unions question security arrangements
Police unions have continued to raise concerns about the operation.
CSIF said on Saturday that the number of riot police available during Friday’s transfer was insufficient and called for additional Policía Nacional UIP units and greater night-time cover.
The union also argues that accommodating 1,700 people inside the port creates additional security requirements because the port is critical infrastructure for Ceuta’s transport links and supplies.
These are claims made by the union rather than findings by the authorities or the court.
Ceuta asks for more help
The continued presence of large numbers of people on the beaches means the authorities are now facing the same fundamental problem that existed before Friday’s operation: significantly more people need accommodation than the new facility can hold.
Makeshift tents and shelters remain at El Trampolín, while planned cleaning work has been interrupted because people continue to occupy the beach.
Ceuta is asking for further resources as authorities work through individual cases and determine where those who could not enter the port facility can be accommodated.
For now, the new centre has provided shelter for 1,700 people, but it has not brought an end to the makeshift settlements that have developed during the migration crisis.