Inside Story

What’s behind the migrant crisis between Morocco and Spain?

Concerns grow over the abuse of migrants crossing from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta.

Many migrants and refugees using inflatable rings and dinghies have often made the dangerous journey from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

But this week an influx of at least 8,000 was unusually high, threatening a humanitarian crisis.

Many were young men, but there were also families and unaccompanied minors.

At least one person died making the crossing and thousands have been expelled by the Spanish authorities.

Campaigners are worried the migrants’ rights have been violated during what they describe as a “rapid pace of expulsions”.

The number of arrivals has dropped after what appears to be an attempt by Moroccan authorities to tighten border controls.

Police scuffled with people as they tried to force their way into Ceuta.

The event has caused a diplomatic row between the two countries.

How does this affect migration across Europe?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests:

Catherine Woollard – Secretary general of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles

Ruth Ferrero – Lecturer in political science and senior researcher at Complutense University of Madrid

Lahcen Haddad – Strategic affairs analyst and former Moroccan minister