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Spain’s interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska visited Morocco to discuss illegal immigration and fast track measures to contain that
Spain, along with other European Union countries is trying to put a stop to the irregular immigration and gearing up to fight against criminal organizations
Spain’s interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska visited Morocco to discuss illegal immigration and fast track measures to contain that. Of late, there is an increase in the number of undocumented migrants’ crossing over to the Spain’s Canary island from Morocco. Spain, along with other European Union countries is trying to put a stop to the irregular immigration and gearing up to fight against criminal organizations.
According to some reports, last week, 2,200 migrants arrived on the archipelago, the highest in recent times in a single weekend. Another report says that a total of 16,700 migrants have reached the Canary Islands so far this year. Most of the migrants are from West Africa and the migrants have been taking this route for decades. A 2006 UN report indicates that 35,000 migrants arrived in Canary Island.
There is an understanding between the two countries to work together to counter illegal migration networks, terrorism and organized crime. Heavy casualties are also reported while attempting the journey to Europe from North Africa, with thousands dying at sea. Though tougher enforcement has brought the numbers down, conservative political parties in Europe are asking for tougher laws to eliminate migration.
Migrants normally use the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on Morocco’s northern coast to reach Europe in search of a better life. The enclaves are surrounded by a 6-metre-high fence topped with razor wire.
Spain had agreed to remove razors from the fence surrounding from the two enclaves and instead would raise the height of the fence to curb crossings. It is reported that there has been a 45% drop in migrant arrivals in mainland Spain so far this year. But what is of concern is the increase of migrants from Spain’s Canary Islands in the recent days, which witnessed an increase of 23% in arrivals. Spain is also having the same problem of migrant influx at a reduced pace from Senegal and Mauritania.
