Ceuta migrant expulsions: court rejects urgent bid

Ceuta, the Spanish city bordering Morocco: Spain’s Supreme Court rejects an urgent bid on 27 October to speed up action on adult migrants who arrived from Morocco on 30 and 31 July and remain in the city. Ceuta wants the central government to deal with their cases, including possible expulsions or returns. Judges say they cannot order immediate measures without first hearing from Pedro Sánchez’s government.

Ceuta wants a plan and more staff

Ceuta asked the court to give the government ten days to set out a plan for handling expulsion, return and international protection cases. It also wanted the government to provide the staff and resources needed to carry out that plan.

The city sought the enforcement of expulsion and return decisions that can already be carried out, or become enforceable later, subject to any court-ordered suspension and the safeguards in international protection cases. It also asked for anonymous figures showing how many of the adults remain in Ceuta and how their cases are progressing. Ceuta’s spokesman, Alejandro Ramírez, said the city went to court after the government failed to answer a request made in September.

Judges will hear the government first

The judges say Ceuta has not shown the exceptional urgency needed for an order made without hearing the other side. The lack of action alleged by the city has continued for more than two and a half months, they note, without Ceuta previously seeking interim protection.

The case continues. The State Legal Service has ten days to respond to Ceuta’s request. The Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with Parliament has 20 days to provide the administrative case file. Judges will then consider whether to order interim measures.

Topics: Court cases · Migration

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com