Spain has agreed to allow 500 unaccompanied migrant minors currently in the North African enclave of Ceuta to relocate to the mainland, marking a reversal of its earlier stance.
Details of the relocation plan
The move comes after weeks of pressure on the Spanish government, which had previously resisted transferring the minors to the mainland. The decision was announced by the Spanish government delegation in Ceuta.
The minors, who are mostly from Morocco, will be transferred in groups over the coming weeks. The Spanish government has not specified the exact timeline for the relocations.
Background to the crisis
Ceuta, along with Melilla, are Spain's two enclaves on the North African coast and have long been a focal point for migration into Europe. The number of unaccompanied minors in Ceuta has surged in recent months, overwhelming local facilities.
The Spanish government's previous refusal to move the minors to the mainland had drawn criticism from human rights groups and local authorities in Ceuta, who argued that the city lacked the resources to care for them properly.
Impact of the decision
The relocation is expected to ease the strain on Ceuta's reception centres, which have been operating beyond capacity. The Spanish government has said it will work with regional authorities on the mainland to ensure the minors are housed and provided with support.
