Migrants in Ceuta begin hunger strike for asylum

More than a hundred migrants camped on the Trampolín beach in Ceuta, after crossing the border from Morocco on July 30, have begun a hunger strike to demand asylum in Spain. They say they only seek "a good life" and refuse to return to Morocco. Source: infobae Source: elconfidencial

The protest

The migrants, who have been on the beach for 18 days, started the strike on Sunday. One of them, Youssef, about 40, said they want to leave the situation and have appealed to Ceuta's president Juan Jesús Vivas, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and King Felipe VI, lamenting that no authority has visited them. Source: infobae They carry signs stating they are Moroccan and do not want to return, and they plan to continue until they are relocated. Source: elconfidencial

Government response

In response, Spain's Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, announced that on Monday several extraordinary and temporary humanitarian care facilities will be deployed in Ceuta, creating 1,500 new places for migrants. Source: infobae These will be set up in four locations: the Loma del Colmenar parking area, the equestrian facilities, the old football field of the Cavalry barracks, and the Guano space. Source: elconfidencial

Conditions and concerns

The migrants have built makeshift huts but endure high temperatures during the day and cold at night. Source: infobae They say they do not want to disturb Ceuta's residents, especially when children return to school in the coming weeks, and hope their situation is resolved before then. Source: elconfidencial