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EU migration chief claims Ceuta border crisis caused by criminal smuggling networks, disinformation

Reuters (via The Jerusalem Post) · back to the audit
European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner alleged that Spain's Ceuta border crisis was fueled by criminal smuggling networks and disinformation on social media after an emergency meeting of EU interior ministers about the incident on Tuesday.

He declined to say whether Morocco bore any responsibility, but praised Rabat's cooperation with Spanish authorities on returns.

"There is an ongoing investigation of the matter (Morocco's role in the massive break) in Spain. So I ... can't actually comment on that any further but there was of course some disinformation by the smugglers and the human traffickers, that's what we know for sure," he said.

EU interior ministers called for tougher action against migrant smuggling networks and stronger returns policies after about 72,000 migrants entered Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta last week, triggering alarm across the bloc.

The ministers also urged closer cooperation with countries outside the European Union to curb irregular migration and prevent a repeat of the surge, which began on Thursday at one of the bloc's two land borders with Africa, both shared with Morocco.

About 75 migrants died attempting the crossing, with many drowning and others crushed in the chaos.

The surge prompted ministers to discuss a range of measures, including better intelligence-sharing, closer monitoring of social media to detect migration surges earlier, and stronger protection of the EU's external borders.

Some analysts have questioned whether Moroccan authorities turned a blind eye to the crossings, noting previous occasions when Rabat was accused of using migration as political leverage.

Morocco said on Sunday that recent mass crossings into Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, were fueled by misinformation on social media, human trafficking networks and misinterpretations of a Spanish court ruling.

Most migrants who crossed the border barrier found neither food nor shelter, and later returned to Morocco.

Nevertheless, Italy suspended passport-free Schengen travel arrangements with Spain for a month, even though they do not apply to Ceuta, while 22 of the EU's 27 member states urged coordinated action to strengthen the bloc's external borders.

Danish Immigration Minister Morten Bodskov called for increased EU funding for border security, saying: "We will not accept a repeat of the situation in 2015."

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi urged the bloc to adopt "new hub models for the external processing of asylum procedures and for returns in safe third countries."