Tragedy on El Tarajal beach: response of the Spanish Government and migratory pressure
18.2.2014
Question for written answer P-001879-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Carmen Romero López (S&D)
On 6 February 2014 a new mass attempt to breach the frontier took place in Ceuta, in which 15 immigrants drowned off the beach of El Tarajal.
During the subsequent address by the Interior Minister to the Spanish Congress on 13 February, it was confirmed that:
- — rubber bullets were used against the immigrants;
- — they were returned on the spot, without any respect for their human rights or provisions under Spanish, Community or international law.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, has expressed her concern at these facts.
How will this concern be translated into concrete action on the part of the Commission in response to Spain’s behaviour?
Does the Commission not feel that, in light of this extremely serious violation of human rights and the Community acquis with respect to immigration and asylum in EU Member States, responsibility should be determined and action taken to ensure that such events do not recur?
For months, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla have been experiencing a strong surge in migratory pressure, keeping the state’s security forces and bodies on permanent alert. Only yesterday, 150 sub-Saharan immigrants managed to cross the border as part of another human avalanche.
What measures does the Commission intend to take to support and find a solution to this heavy migratory pressure on Europe’s southern borders and to prevent further tragedies like the one in Ceuta taking place?
Is the Commission satisfied with the results of the measures adopted throughout this legislature in response to these migratory flows which have, in part, resulted from the Arab Spring?
OJ C 312, 12/09/2014