ON
← Back to feed
Ceuta prosecutor's office sends migrant children's complaints to judge for alleged abuse and harassment in reception centres
Spain🏛️ PoliticsCenter

Ceuta prosecutor's office sends migrant children's complaints to judge for alleged abuse and harassment in reception centres

The Public Prosecutor's Office in Ceuta has forwarded several complaints from unaccompanied migrant minors to the court, alleging they suffered abuse and mistreatment in the autonomous region's child protection centers. According to sources, these specific reports were submitted to the police and subsequently referred to the judicial authority. The General Prosecutor’s Office clarified that this does not constitute a general investigation into all such centers, but rather a functional decision based on the heavy workload faced by the Ceuta Public Prosecutor's Office. The goal is to avoid duplicate investigations and ensure proper handling by the competent body. The prosecutors emphasized their continued vigilance over the well-being of minors under their care and readiness to take action if any criminal acts occur. Meanwhile, reports from El País indicate that several Moroccan-origin adolescents left two child centers due to mistreatment, physical punishment, lack of medical attention, or threats of deportation. One girl described being called derogatory terms, physically assaulted, and threatened with violence, while others reported similar experiences. Authorities intervened, led

The Spanish Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into alleged cases of mistreatment at a shelter for migrant girls in Ceuta, following reports of physical and psychological abuse. According to sources close to the autonomous city’s child protection department, the probe was initiated after an internal report detailed repeated incidents of violence, threats, insults, and inadequate access to medical care within the facility. The report, submitted on September 17, includes testimonies from several young migrants describing frequent use of derogatory language such as "puta," or "whore." One girl recounted being awakened with shouts of "all the whores from the street have been brought here." The allegations center around a facility known as the Naves del Tarajal, which houses dozens of unaccompanied Moroccan minors who arrived in Ceuta at the end of July. Two adjacent buildings are used for this purpose, one managed by SAMU and the other by Engloba, under the supervision of the Autonomous City of Ceuta. Many of these girls had previously spent more than a month in informal settlements, including El Príncipe and Sidi Embarek, before being relocated to the new centers at the beginning of September. One of the girls, identified only as Hasna, described an incident in which she was allegedly struck repeatedly in the chest by a staff member while standing alone. She claimed that other girls tried to assist her but were prevented from doing so by the aggressor. Despite reporting the incident, Hasna says she received no assistance from the center’s management, who reportedly told her, "Are you crazy? This is Europe, you can't come here to make problems." Another girl, named Firdaus, stated that access to mobile phones was severely restricted, limiting their ability to contact family members or seek help outside the center. She claimed that the phones were withheld to prevent them from recording instances of humiliation, injustice, and violence. In one instance, she witnessed a staff member push another girl. According to sources, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has forwarded specific complaints made to the police regarding alleged abuses and humiliations in the shelters to the court. However, the General Prosecutor clarified that this does not constitute a general investigation into all centers for minors in Ceuta. The decision to send the cases to the court was based on functional and organizational criteria due to the high workload currently faced by the office in Ceuta. The authority emphasized that it would remain attentive to any situation affecting the safety or rights of minors under its care and would act within its legal responsibilities if any criminal acts were confirmed. Several Moroccan girls reportedly left two centers in Ceuta due to mistreatment, physical punishment, lack of medical attention, or threats of deportation back to Morocco by staff. One girl described being constantly called "puta" and beaten if she asked to use a phone or pillow. She added that many others shared similar experiences, including one girl who allegedly suffered sexual slurs and explicit threats of rape. Noor Ammar, the lawyer representing the girls in their complaint to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, explained that the girls had previously been overcrowded in camps run by local associations and later moved to privately managed centers operated by the government of Ceuta. These centers, located in converted warehouses, house approximately 200 girls. Ammar described the types of mistreatment endured by the girls, including humiliating insults from educators, physical punishments that directly affect their physical and moral integrity, and deteriorating mental health over recent weeks. In a separate development, Spain’s Health Minister, Mónica García, highlighted the effective epidemiological surveillance in Ceuta after detecting a case of monkeypox in an unaccompanied Moroccan minor housed in the city. García emphasized that having all migrants in accommodation facilities allows authorities to diagnose, trace, and treat infectious diseases effectively. She listed several infections detected in Ceuta, including five cases of monkeypox and eight cases of tuberculosis, some of which were pre-existing or already being treated. García urged the People's Party and the Ceuta government to stop obstructing efforts to manage the migration crisis, stressing the need for all migrants to be removed from the streets, overcrowding, and unsanitary conditions and placed in proper accommodation. She acknowledged the importance of coordination between national and regional health authorities and criticized the indefinite strike call by healthcare professionals, calling it unusual given that the issues raised are primarily regional and the relevant legislation is still being processed in Congress. Meanwhile, political tensions continue to escalate between the ruling party and the opposition over the situation in Ceuta. The People's Party has once again demanded the appearance of three ministers before the Senate, while the Socialists accuse the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas, of being influenced by the leader of the opposition, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, to avoid cooperating with the government.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

5 reports

20minutos logo20minutosIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 75
Mónica García highlights the "good epidemiological surveillance" in Ceuta after a case of monkey pox was detected

Spanish Health Minister Mónica García praised the effective epidemiological surveillance in Ceuta after a case of monkeypox was detected in a Moroccan minor living in a reception center there. She emphasized that having migrants in reception facilities allows authorities to diagnose, trace, and treat infectious diseases effectively. García highlighted that several cases of infectious diseases, including five cases of smallpox, one case of monkeypox, and eight cases of tuberculosis, had been identified in Ceuta. While some tuberculosis cases were pre-existing or already being treated, she stressed the importance of coordinated healthcare efforts. García called on the Popular Party and the Ceuta government to stop obstructing the management of the migration crisis, urging that all migrants be moved out of unsanitary conditions into reception centers. She also addressed the indefinite strike by healthcare workers, calling it unusual given that their demands are primarily regional and noted that the Statute Framework bill is currently under discussion in Congress.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the minister’s statements regarding both public health measures and political calls for cooperation. It includes her praise for the epidemiological efforts and her criticism of political obstruction, but does not exhibit overtly biased language or one-sided

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports on Mónica García’s statements regarding epidemiological surveillance in Ceuta, including specific disease cases detected. It also mentions her call for cooperation with the PP and Ceuta government, aligning with the cross-source consensus and providing detailed quotes

Why objectivity (75): While the article presents factual information objectively, it includes a direct quote criticizing the PP and Ceuta government, which introduces a slight political bias. The overall tone remains mostly neutral, though this statement may influence reader perception slightly.

20minutos logo20minutosIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 85
Ceuta prosecutor's office sends migrant children's complaints to judge for alleged abuse and harassment in reception centres

The Public Prosecutor's Office in Ceuta has forwarded several complaints from unaccompanied migrant minors to the court, alleging they suffered abuse and mistreatment in the autonomous region's child protection centers. According to sources, these specific reports were submitted to the police and subsequently referred to the judicial authority. The General Prosecutor’s Office clarified that this does not constitute a general investigation into all such centers, but rather a functional decision based on the heavy workload faced by the Ceuta Public Prosecutor's Office. The goal is to avoid duplicate investigations and ensure proper handling by the competent body. The prosecutors emphasized their continued vigilance over the well-being of minors under their care and readiness to take action if any criminal acts occur. Meanwhile, reports from El País indicate that several Moroccan-origin adolescents left two child centers due to mistreatment, physical punishment, lack of medical attention, or threats of deportation. One girl described being called derogatory terms, physically assaulted, and threatened with violence, while others reported similar experiences. Authorities intervened, led

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding allegations of abuse against minors in child protection centers, without overtly favoring any political stance. It includes quotes from both authorities and the affected individuals, maintaining a balanced approach. While the issue of migration and庇

Why factuality (90): The article accurately describes the process by which the Fiscalía of Ceuta has forwarded specific complaints to the court, clarifying that no general investigation into the centers is underway. It provides context about workload and procedural reasons, aligning with the cross-source consensus and a

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone throughout, carefully distinguishing between specific complaints and broader investigations. It avoids sensationalism and clearly explains the limitations of the Fiscalía’s actions, ensuring a balanced portrayal of the situation.

RTVE Noticias logoRTVE NoticiasState / PublicCenterFactual 90Objective 80
Child migrants mistreated in centres in Ceuta

Several minors have reported abuse and mistreatment at centers in Ceuta, prompting the Public Prosecutor's Office to open protection cases for the complainants. The minors were reportedly removed from these facilities after the allegations were brought to the attention of the police. According to sources from the Ministry of Public Prosecution, the cases have been transferred to the court for further investigation.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on allegations of abuse against minors in Ceuta, which is a sensitive issue involving child welfare and immigration policies. The report does not exhibit clear bias, as it presents the actions taken by the Public Prosecutor's Office without overtly favoring any political side. It

Why factuality (90): The article provides clear and specific facts about minors reporting abuse in Ceuta centers, mentioning the involvement of the Fiscalía and the separation of the minors. It cites sources within the Ministry of Public Prosecution, aligning closely with the cross-source consensus and providing suffici

Why objectivity (80): The article remains largely neutral in tone, presenting the facts without overt bias. It avoids taking sides in the political debate and focuses on the legal and protective measures taken by authorities, maintaining a balanced approach.

RTVE Noticias logoRTVE NoticiasState / PublicCenterFactual 85Objective 70
PP and PSOE turn Ceuta into a throwing weapon between them

The article reports ongoing political tensions between Spain's ruling government and the opposition Popular Party (PP), focusing on their dispute over the migration situation in Ceuta. The PP has once again requested the appearance of three ministers in the Senate regarding this issue, while the Socialist Party (PSOE) criticizes Alberto Núñez Feijóo for allegedly pressuring Juan Jesús Vivas, the president of Ceuta, to limit his cooperation with the central government. This reflects the broader political conflict between the two major parties over governance and handling of immigration policies in the autonomous city of Ceuta.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both parties' positions without overtly favoring one side. It reports the PP's demand for ministerial appearances and the PSOE's criticism of Feijóo, but does not take a clear stance on which party's actions are more justified. The framing remains balanced, presenting both sides

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the political conflict between the PP and PSOE regarding Ceuta's migration situation, citing specific actions like demands for ministerial appearances and accusations against Feijóo. However, it lacks specific details about the nature of the alleged abuses by Vivas, re

Why objectivity (70): The article uses emotionally charged terms like 'arma arrojadiza' (throwing weapon) and frames the PP as aggressors while implying PSOE accusations are justified. This creates a biased narrative favoring the PSOE perspective, reducing neutrality.

elDiario.es logoelDiario.esIndependentProgressiveFactual 75Objective 60
Prosecutor's Office investigates alleged cases of ill-treatment at a migrant girls' shelter in Ceuta

The Spanish prosecution has opened an investigation into alleged cases of abuse at a shelter for unaccompanied migrant girls in Ceuta. One girl, identified as Hasna, described being physically assaulted by a staff member after being falsely accused of misbehavior. She was reportedly struck repeatedly on the chest while other girls were prevented from helping her. The allegations include repeated physical and psychological violence, insults, threats, and limited access to healthcare. The report highlights frequent use of derogatory language such as 'puta' directed at the girls. The shelter, located in the Tarajal industrial area, houses dozens of Moroccan minors who arrived in Ceuta at the end of July. These girls had previously been in informal settlements before being moved to these facilities in early September. The investigation aims to determine the truth behind these claims and any potential responsibilities.

Bias read (Progressive): The article presents detailed accounts of alleged abuse and mistreatment of unaccompanied migrant minors, focusing on systemic issues within state-run shelters. It emphasizes the severity of the reported misconduct, including physical assault, verbal abuse, and institutional neglect. The tone is som

Why factuality (75): The article reports on an investigation into alleged abuse in a migrant children's shelter in Ceuta, citing a specific incident involving a girl named Hasna. While the details are plausible and align with general knowledge of migration crises, there is no direct reference to the primary source docum

Why objectivity (60): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'violence', 'aggressive', and 'insults', which may influence reader perception. It presents the situation through the perspective of the victim and sources close to the department of minors, potentially lacking balance by not providing counterpoi

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories