Spain’s migrant-rights group and volunteers working in Ceuta have accused Spanish security forces of using excessive force against migrants who crossed into the occupied city later last month, saying they were repeatedly intimidated, dehumanized, and treated like cattle.
According to Spanish news outlet Publico, Spain-based migrant-rights collective Border Resistance said that it had collected testimonies, photographs, and videos documenting alleged abuses by Spanish security forces.
The group said that soldiers had chased and beaten several migrants, including young Moroccans, in different parts of the city.
Yasin Chek, a volunteer in Ceuta, also revealed that some migrants had reported the use of pepper spray by military personnel during the early morning or at night.
The humanitarian organization No Name Kitchen, which works on the ground in Ceuta, also documented similar incidents.
Ric Fernandez, the spokesperson for the NGO, accused authorities of using psychological violence against migrants who are already facing malnutrition, dehydration, and uncertainty.
He said that authorities had destroyed migrants’ portable batteries and food, including bottles of water and biscuits, accusing officers of changing their behavior when journalists or cameras were nearby.
Yet, the Spanish Interior Ministry told the outlet that it was not aware of any formal complaints over the actions of security forces on July 30 and 31, and didn’t say whether any complaints had been filed later.
The ministry also rejected allegations of mistreatment and defended the security forces, saying they work with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
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