Spain's youth minister said Monday that most unaccompanied minors stranded in Ceuta after a mass border breach in July will remain in Spain, despite an earlier pledge by the Spanish government to return those who entered illegally to Morocco.
In July, more than 80,000 people crossed into the Spanish enclave in what authorities described as an unprecedented border breach. Between 5,000 and 10,000 people, depending on figures from the different authorities, are believed to have remained in Ceuta as Madrid works to identify them and arrange their return to Morocco.
Around half are reportedly unaccompanied minors.
Minister Sira Rego said Spanish law grants underage migrants fundamental protections regardless of their origin or legal status. She said the vast majority have asked to remain in Spain.
"Most of them want to stay in Spain and they are going to stay, of course. There is a law that protects them," Rego told Spanish radio network Cadena SER.
"Our duty is to protect them," she said.
Rego said many of the children had fled violence or extreme circumstances, making them particularly vulnerable.
She defended an approach based on the rule of law and empathy, while criticising what she called the "trivialisation of evil" in the political debate.
Rego is positioned on the further left of Spain's governing coalition, which also includes more moderate parties.
Her comments have yet to be confirmed by Spain's interior minister.
Madrid is facing legal hurdles over the return of minors, who are entitled to special protections under Spanish law, while the government has pledged to prevent further crossings into the EU's Schengen area.
The situation has also fuelled anger among some Ceuta residents. At several protests, locals have been heard chanting: "No asylum for the invaders."
In a departure from the government's usual line, Rego also said cooperation from the Moroccan authorities on the issue has been limited.
"It is not common for us to receive a smooth response from Morocco, and this is usually a problem," she said.
