Spain places Ceuta under the "national security interest status" following the migration crisis

Madrid, August 25 (KUNA) -- The Spanish government announced on Tuesday the placement of the city of Ceuta under the framework of the “Situation of National Security Interest” and the establishment of a unified command to manage the crisis following a wave of mass irregular arrivals of migrants from Morocco in late July.

Spanish Minister of Integration, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saenz, said at a press conference following a cabinet meeting and an extraordinary session of the National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, that “the decision aims to enhance coordination among authorities to deal with a crisis characterized by the severity of its impacts, the scale of required measures, its urgency, and its multiple dimensions.”

She added that, under the decision, Minister of Regional Policy and Democratic Memory, Angel Torres, will lead the unified crisis command in coordination with the Ceuta government, relevant ministries, and the National Intelligence Center, to ensure a “unified and coordinated” response.

The decision comes after the crisis that Ceuta experienced in late July, when between 70,000 and 80,000 migrants entered the city irregularly, with more than 8,000 remaining there, including over 2,500 minors. This marks the largest crisis the city has witnessed since May 2021.

The “Situation of National Security Interest” is a legal framework stipulated in Article 23 of the Spanish National Security Law. It is activated when the severity of a crisis, the scale of necessary measures, its speed, and the multiplicity of involved parties require enhanced coordination under government leadership, utilizing the resources of public administrations. The law prohibits suspending fundamental rights and freedoms due to this declaration. (End) H.N.D. / N.A.A.