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Spain Orders Probe Into Alleged Military Abuse in Ceuta
Spain has started an investigation after Amnesty International accused soldiers of mistreating migrants in Ceuta.
The group said it found 22 cases of torture and abuse.
It alleged that soldiers chased, hit and humiliated some migrants.
The allegations included women and children traveling without adults.
Amnesty also reviewed photos and videos that it said showed excessive force.
Spain’s Defence Ministry sent the report to prosecutors and ordered its own investigation.
Amnesty welcomed the decision but said it should have happened sooner.
The group also asked for better living conditions for migrants still sleeping outside.
Many migrants had crossed from Morocco, and thousands remained in Ceuta.
Spain’s Defence Ministry referred Amnesty International’s allegations to prosecutors and ordered an internal investigation.
Amnesty International said it documented 22 cases of torture and abuse involving military personnel.
The rights group alleged troops pursued, beat and humiliated migrants, including women and unaccompanied children.
Amnesty said reviewed images appeared to show hooded personnel striking migrants and spraying irritants at them.
More than 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco in late July, while at least 10,000 remained in Ceuta, according to the report.
- Who
- Spain’s Defence Ministry, prosecutors, the armed forces and Amnesty International, represented by Spain director Esteban Beltran.
- What
- Spain ordered an internal probe and alerted prosecutors after Amnesty alleged that military personnel tortured or abused migrants.
- Where
- Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, near the border with Morocco.
- When
- The Defence Ministry announced the actions on Wednesday, September 29; the alleged mass crossings occurred in late July.
- Why
- The investigation was ordered to determine whether military personnel were individually responsible for alleged mistreatment of migrants.
Amnesty International’s Allegations
Spanish Authorities’ Response
Whether troops abused migrants
Amnesty International’s Allegations
Amnesty said military personnel tortured or mistreated migrants and described what it called a pattern of pursuit, beatings and humiliation.
Spanish Authorities’ Response
Spain’s Defence Ministry did not establish guilt but ordered an investigation to clarify whether individual personnel were responsible.
Timing and accountability
Amnesty International’s Allegations
Amnesty welcomed the referral but said the action came too late and urged the precautionary suspension of any implicated personnel.
Spanish Authorities’ Response
The Defence Ministry sent the report to prosecutors and the duty court in Ceuta and instructed its Operations Command to investigate.
Conditions for migrants
Amnesty International’s Allegations
Amnesty said migrants remaining in Ceuta were living in deplorable conditions and needed improved humanitarian assistance.
Spanish Authorities’ Response
The report described the continued presence of at least 10,000 migrants but did not include a separate government position on living conditions.
Key facts
- Reported abuse cases
- Amnesty International said it documented 22 cases involving military personnel.
- Migrants who crossed
- More than 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco in late July.
- Migrants remaining
- At least 10,000 migrants remained in Ceuta, according to the report.
- Government action
- Spain’s Defence Ministry referred the report to prosecutors and ordered an internal investigation.
- Alleged conduct
- Amnesty alleged pursuits, beatings, humiliation and the use of irritants against migrants.
- Amnesty’s requests
- The group called for an exhaustive investigation, precautionary suspension of implicated personnel and improved humanitarian assistance.
Quotes
Spain’s Defence Ministry
Spain’s government ministry responsible for the armed forces
“In view of the report made public by Amnesty International, it has been agreed to send the report to the prosecutor’s office and the duty court in Ceuta, and to instruct the Operations Command to investigate and clarify any possible individual responsibilities.”
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“These individuals cannot remain in their duties for a single minute longer, at least as a precautionary measure, until responsibilities are determined.”
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Sources
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