The Spanish government is tightening its control of the boundary between Spain and Morocco in Ceuta and Melilla, two cities administrated by Madrid but situated actually in Moroccoan territory. The border there is the main gateaway for people who try to enter the Iberian Peninsula, as they can reach Spanish territory without leaving African continent. For this reason, dozens of people a day try to cross the wall which separates Melilla from Beni Enzar, the place which most of them are settled while waiting for their chance to enter Spanish territory, often for several months or even years. Their last stop before crossing the border uses to be Mount Gurugu, a mountain situated close to the boundary between Spain and Morocco where groups of migrants wait for their chance.
In fact, Melilla and Ceuta are the main access spots for the Western Mediterranean route, one of the most important immigration routes into the EU by land and sea which is only surpassed by the Central Mediterranean route (through Sicily and Lampedusa) and the Eastern Mediterranean route (through Greece). It is estimated that nearly 6,400 people succeed in entering European territory by this route every year, most of them from Northern African countries like Morocco. However, many migrants from other states in conflict like Mali have reached mount Gurugu during the last years, trying to escape from hunger and war.
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Map on different routes into the EU by land and sea, by CNN.
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Once there, some groups stay for weeks or maybe months until they have the opportunity to climb the wall and enter Spanish territory, often facing situations of harassment and persecutions by Moroccoan police. Migrants are routinely beaten and dispossessed of their belongings or documentation at the border, threatened with death or even illegally transferred back once they have crossed it or deported to the desert between Morocco and Algeria, according to a migrants' rights advocacy group called Jadaliyya. As if this was not enough, the same organization stated that at least five people were killed and several others were injured on a police raid just opposite the fence into Melilla and burnt the camps where they were settled in at mount Gurugu. However, such actions have not been strongly opposed by neither Spanish nor European authorities who remain silent against the repeated violations of the rights and the integrity of thousands of people who try to climb the wall, not only men but also women.
But the harsh conditions migrants suffer during their journey towards the boundary and also once they have reached it does not prevent thousands of people from trying to enter into Spanish territory every year. In fact, massive assaults take place nearly every month, with dozens of individuals trying to climb the wall barrier simultaneously. Some of those attempts to break into Melilla have been recorded by security cameras all across the fence, as the video footage below.
But the harsh conditions migrants suffer during their journey towards the boundary and also once they have reached it does not prevent thousands of people from trying to enter into Spanish territory every year. In fact, massive assaults take place nearly every month, with dozens of individuals trying to climb the wall barrier simultaneously. Some of those attempts to break into Melilla have been recorded by security cameras all across the fence, as the video footage below.
By its side, Spanish government has reacted by placing razor-sharp barbed wire on several spots of the fence so that nobody would be able to climb it. This initiative has been hardly criticised by human rights activists and also members from green political parties like Equo, who condemn it as inhumane and for being purpoted to cause serious injuries to those who try to make their way towards Melilla. However, European authorities have turned a blind eye on this measure to counter immigration into the EU, ignoring that this is a flatant violation of human rights. In fact, Spain's immigration policies are partly funded by the European Union which destines the funds to keep sub-Saharians from leaving Moroccoan territory. It is estimated that about 20,000 people are trapped there, facing a harsh treatment and all kind of abuses as we have described above.
Everyone could believe that those actions are part of a wider policy aimed to control and reduce migratory fluxes into Spain as part of the European migratory policies. But the reality is very different: the country is encouraging immigration from wealthier countries like China, Russia and the Gulf countries in order to draw foreign investment. So that, residence permits will be issued to any migrant who buys a property worth €160,000 or more so the real estate market can also be revitalised. It will be very worthy from investors interested in making deals across the EU as Spain would be their gateway to the European market. In fact, the Spanish goverment has been encouraging this kind of immigration for many years, regardless of the origin of their money. In fact, some of the wealthiest migrants in Spain have been proved as obtaining their capital through illegal methods. The most striking case has been that of Chinese millionaire Gao Ping, who has been living in the country for many years and has been alleged of leading a vast money laundering plot which could have distorted the whole Spanish economy.
To sum up, it is quite evident that Spain develops a double immigration policy, depending of the origin and wealth of the would-be migrant. Those who try to flee from hunger or war are often sent back to their home countries or face every kind of human rights abuses on their journey towards Europe, whereas the wealthiest ones are encouraged to settle in and granted with residence permits under the single condition of buying a property in the country. The right to be a legal resident is something that can be bought in Spain.
