Sixteen immigrants take shelter on Spanish islet near Morocco

PUBLISHED: August 30, 2012 at 1:10 pm • LAST EDITED: August 30, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Andalucia, Lead • 2 Comments

• The tiny islet where the group are currently staying

A GROUP of sixteen Moroccan immigrants have taken refuge on a Spanish islet after arriving by patera boat yesterday.

The group, which includes three pregnant women and three children, is thought to be the first to use the uninhibited Islet de Tierra to gain asylum.

There is currently speculation as to whether they could be part of a human trafficking operation run by organised crime groups using the Spanish islets in North Africa as new migration routes.

Although the islet is so close to the Moroccan coast - just 10 metres when the tide is out – its Spanish sovereignty means the group is now under the responsibility of Spain’s government.

The government has guaranteed humanitarian assistance to the group but admitted it is unsure of the next steps to take.

Did you like this? Share it:

Reader Comments »

stefanjo

August 30th, 2012 2:46 pm

The next steps are obvious. Shelter, food, water, medical aid. Give temporary asylum, then guard the access so it can’t be abused again by traffickers. Or, dare one say it, give up sovereignty of that lump of Africa.

David M.

September 3rd, 2012 11:38 am

or how about doing nothing. that works just as well. Let the spanish do things in spanish-time…

yeah we’ll go and save them, but first i have to see a man about a chorezo, get the boat fixed, order a new lifebelt, so it may be months before we get there.

Oh and of course, dont forget to ask for more eu grants.

Messages will be moderated or deleted if they:
• Are considered likely to disrupt, provoke, attack or offend others
• Are racist, sexist, homophobic, sexually explicit, abusive or otherwise objectionable
• Contain swear words or other language likely to offend
• Break the law or condone or encourage unlawful activity. This includes breach of copyright, defamation and contempt of court
• Advertise products or services for profit or gain
• Are seen to impersonate someone else
• Include contact details such as phone numbers, postal or email addresses
• Describe or encourage activities which could endanger the safety or well-being of others

Back to the Top