Spain delays decree to accelerate migrant repatriations from Ceuta

The Spanish government has postponed a decision on a draft decree intended to accelerate the repatriation of migrants from Ceuta to Morocco. The measure was not approved during a recent cabinet meeting as several ministries continue to work on the final wording of the text.

The proposed decree aims to address the migration crisis following a mass influx of over 70,000 people into Ceuta in late July. Key provisions in the draft include shortening the timeframe for asylum seekers to submit international protection requests to seven working days following a rejection or deportation order. The draft also suggests bypassing certain preliminary reviews by the joint ministerial committee for asylum and refugees.

The initiative has faced significant criticism. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern regarding the protection of refugee rights, while organizations such as Oxfam and the Spanish Commission for Refugee Assistance (CEAR) warn that the expedited procedures could undermine the principle of non-refoulement and the ability to conduct individual assessments of asylum claims.