Amnesty International documents new instances of military personnel attacking migrants in Ceuta and points to the inaction of the Ministry of Defense

infoLibreIndependentProgressiveNov 5

Amnesty International has documented 28 new cases of military abuse against migrants in Ceuta, including 13 incidents involving minors, which occurred after the Spanish Ministry of Defense announced an investigation into prior reports of mistreatment. The report describes frequent nighttime attacks where soldiers struck sleeping individuals with batons, tasers, and fists, resulting in fractures, head wounds, and other injuries. Despite the ongoing inquiry, Amnesty International states that implicated personnel have not been removed from their posts and that victims face threats to prevent them from reporting the violence. Over 500 unaccompanied minor migrants continue to sleep on the streets of Ceuta, leaving them vulnerable to further aggression by security forces and civilians. Specific accounts include the assault of two Sahrawi brothers who were beaten while sleeping, highlighting the severity of the documented human rights violations.

Bias read (Progressive): The article relies exclusively on Amnesty International’s findings and uses strong normative terms like 'tortures' and 'human rights violations,' omitting any defense or counter-narrative from the military or government.

elDiario.esIndependentProgressiveNov 4

Amnesty International has documented 18 new incidents of physical abuse by military personnel against migrants sleeping on the streets of Ceuta, stating that these acts continued after the Spanish Ministry of Defense announced an investigation into prior allegations. The report cites witness testimonies, medical records, and visual evidence describing nighttime assaults involving batons, punches, kicks, and electric shocks, which resulted in fractures, bruises, and head injuries. While some sources suggest a recent decrease in such abuses due to reduced military presence on the streets, Amnesty International argues that the persistence of violence indicates impunity and the failure of the defense ministry’s initial announcement to stop the misconduct. The organization highlights that soldiers legally lack authority for citizen security duties, noting that National Police and Civil Guard units have increasingly taken over migration raids. Additionally, the article references audio recordings previously published by elDiario.es in which soldiers discussed the beatings, though the outlet notes it has not received the original files from local judicial authorities.

Bias read (Progressive): The article relies exclusively on critical NGO reports and victim testimony while highlighting the government's alleged inaction and the legal impropriety of using military forces for civilian policing tasks.