Moroccan rights group warns of worsening humanitarian conditions in Ceuta

Sunday 09 August 2026 - 15:45

By: Sahili Aya

Moroccan rights group warns of worsening humanitarian conditions in Ceuta

The Moroccan Organization for Human Rights (OMDH) has raised the alarm over what it describes as a deteriorating humanitarian situation involving migrants and other people stranded in Ceuta, calling on Spanish authorities to take immediate measures to protect vulnerable individuals.

In a statement issued on Sunday, August 9, the Moroccan rights organisation said people who had crossed into the Spanish-administered enclave, including Moroccan citizens, children and minors, were facing increasingly precarious living conditions.

Rights group calls for urgent action

The OMDH said the circumstances facing those currently in Ceuta pose risks to their safety, health and dignity.

The organisation urged Spanish authorities to respond without delay and ensure that people in vulnerable situations receive adequate protection and access to essential assistance.

Particular attention was directed towards minors and women, whom the organisation considers especially exposed to the consequences of the current situation.

Humanitarian concerns linked to migration pressure

Ceuta has long been a sensitive point in migration movements between Morocco and Spain because of its location on the North African coast.

The latest warning comes as migration pressure has placed additional strain on local authorities and humanitarian organisations operating in the enclave.

The OMDH's statement focuses on the immediate conditions experienced by people who remain in Ceuta rather than solely on the broader political dispute surrounding migration between Morocco and Spain.

Call to protect vulnerable people

The organisation said humanitarian considerations should remain at the centre of the response and called for measures aimed at safeguarding the fundamental rights of those affected.

Its appeal comes from the OMDH's executive office in Rabat, where the organisation reiterated its concern about the treatment of people caught in a complex migration situation.

The rights group is particularly urging authorities to ensure that children and other vulnerable individuals are not left without adequate protection or assistance.

The appeal adds to growing scrutiny of the humanitarian consequences of migration movements involving Ceuta, where the treatment and protection of migrants remain politically and socially sensitive issues.