Between July 30 and 31, 2026, the autonomous city of Ceuta became the scene of one of the most serious migration and humanitarian crises in the recent history of the Spanish State. Official estimates put at over 70,000 the number of people who crossed the border from Morocco, both by land and sea, within just 24 hours. According to the NGO Caminando Fronteras, 141 people died, making it the deadliest episode of this kind recorded to date. One month later, the situation in Ceuta remains extremely serious, with ongoing attacks organized by the far-right and fascist groups against migrants and organizations and activists trying to provide support and humanitarian aid, with the complicity in many cases of the State security forces, who are active participants in this repression.
Once again, the response of the Spanish Government and the European Union (EU) has focused on reinforcing border militarization and the expulsion of migrants, instead of providing all the necessary means to guarantee humanitarian aid, dignified treatment and respect for International Law, especially regarding asylum. Despite the fact that all EU member states are party to the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Refugee Convention, the media treatment of events like the one that occurred a month ago in Ceuta seems to omit the State’s obligations in this matter. Instead of informing citizens about how the Spanish State, as a party to the aforementioned treaties, should act to strictly respect International Human Rights Law, so that citizens can be vigilant against any violation of these rights, the discourse of major media and a significant part of the national and European political class, even of those who consider themselves progressive, focuses on promoting racist positions. They label the event an “invasion” and demand the swift expulsion of these people, disregarding any consideration for the dignity of migrants. As Afrocolectiva denounces, the media’s use of dehumanizing language to describe what is happening “turns migrants into a threatening mass” and “influences the public and creates a breeding ground for social fear, instead of empathy.”
The causes of this migratory phenomenon are deep and complex. Historically, the colonization of Africa by European powers and subsequent neocolonial policies that have perpetuated the exploitation of its resources and economic subjugation have created an imbalance that has allowed these European powers to enrich themselves thanks to the resources of these African countries, leaving an impoverished population that, like any human being, seeks to improve its living conditions, among other ways, by migrating to Europe. However, at European borders, while the free movement of goods and capital is allowed, people are denied mobility.
Meanwhile, tensions in Ceuta persist, fueled by fascist groups using social media to promote hate speech and organize genuine pogroms. The events in Ceuta are reminiscent of the racist hunts in Torre Pacheco (Murcia) a year ago and in Belfast just two months ago. This latest episode points to a dangerous normalization of fascist positions.
Fascism is experiencing a resurgence today thanks to far-right figures such as Alvise Pérez or groups like Núcleo Nacional, who try to capitalize on social discontent by fueling hatred and racism through speeches that blame migrants for the worsening living conditions of the population. This strategy, amplified by major media outlets, diverts attention from the true causes of inequality and the loss of rights, perpetuating the idea that vulnerable people are a threat. Citizens must become aware of the irresponsible actions of communicators and the media these days. By giving a voice to or acting as spokespersons for discourses that dehumanize migrants, they are, on the one hand, inciting a segment of the population to attack these people and, on the other, fostering an environment where these attacks are not condemned.
State security forces have repressed both migrants and activists denouncing the situation. This repression, combined with the passivity shown in the face of fascist attacks, paints a picture of lack of protection for migrants. The European Union has spent more than a decade consolidating a policy of exclusion and violation of the rights of migrants. In 2016, in response to the refugee crisis, the EU signed the so-called “shame agreement” with Turkey, whereby, in exchange for billions of euros, Turkey became the guardian in charge of stopping the migratory flow towards the EU. Instead of establishing safe humanitarian corridors to guarantee “the right to asylum provided for by international and European legislation,” Europe was becoming Fortress Europe. In the case of Morocco, the Spanish State and the EU have been building a strategy for decades that shares similarities with the Turkish case. The militarization of the border and the externalization of migration management to Morocco, funded with European funds, are strategies that seek to circumvent international legality, violating fundamental rights such as legal assistance and the possibility of applying for international protection.
In the face of the instrumentalization and attacks by the right and fascism against migrants, various organizations, such as No Name Kitchen, Border Resistance, Horizontal (Anarchist Coordinating Group) and Regularización Ya, are on the ground providing support and basic resources to migrants while suffering attacks from both fascist groups and the State Security Forces. For this reason, they are carrying out a campaign on social networks to denounce and call for action, to reach anyone who can donate or come to provide aid. Fascist organization cannot overcome solidarity and mutual support. Against their hatred, antifascist organization.
Sources:
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RTVE (2026). Ceuta, en busca de la normalidad tras la crisis migratoria: claves para entender la situación en la ciudad autónoma. https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20260817/ceuta-claves-crisis-migratoria-frontera-marruecos/17193472.shtml
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El Salto (2026). La ONG Caminando Fronteras eleva a 141 la suma de muertos en el Tarajal. https://www.elsaltodiario.com/frontera-sur/141-muertes-ceuta-tarajal
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ACNUR (2025). Asilo y condición de refugiado. https://help.unhcr.org/global/es/asilo-y-condicion-de-refugiado/
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RTVE (2026). Deshumanización, bulos y legitimación de la violencia: así se ha extendido el odio en redes con la crisis en Ceuta. https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20260830/deshumanizacion-bulos-legitimacion-violencia-asi-se-extendido-odio-redes-con-crisis-ceuta/17206146.shtml
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Afrocolectiva (2026). Crisis humanitaria en Ceuta: Instrumentalización y deshumanización de las personas migrantes. https://www.afrocolectiva.org/post/crisis-humanitaria-en-ceuta-instrumentalizacion-y-deshumanizacion-de-las-personas-migrantes
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Ecoar Global (2026). Radiografía de los pogromos: desde Torre Pacheco a Belfast. https://campanhas.ecoarglobal.org/es/radiografia-de-los-pogromos-desde-torre-pacheco-a-belfast/
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Ecoar Global (2026). El fascismo. Un matón hijo del capitalismo (I). Origen del concepto. https://enaccion.ecoarglobal.org/es/2026/05/19/el-fascismo-un-maton-hijo-del-capitalismo-i-origen-del-concepto/
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El Salto (2018). Acuerdo de refugiados Europa-Turquía: dos años violando derechos. https://www.elsaltodiario.com/fronteras/acuerdo-refugiados-europa-turquia-dos-anos-violando-derechos
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Infobae (2026). El modelo turco que marcó la estrategia migratoria de la Unión Europea y las lecciones que deja para la frontera de Ceuta y Melilla con Marruecos. https://www.infobae.com/espana/2026/08/02/el-modelo-turco-que-marco-la-estrategia-migratoria-de-la-union-europea-y-las-lecciones-que-deja-para-la-frontera-de-ceuta-y-melilla-con-marruecos/
