The Ministry of Youth and Childhood Affairs is working on the urgent transfer of girls who found themselves in Ceuta after the mass arrival on July 30. This is part of a comprehensive reception plan being developed jointly with the autonomous city of Ceuta.
According to Ministry sources, the plan includes a royal decree‑law establishing a mandatory and solidarity reception of children by all autonomous communities, as well as other mechanisms to speed up their placement. One option is for child‑protection organisations to receive and care for the most vulnerable, including girls, in specially adapted institutions on the Iberian Peninsula, without transferring guardianship to the autonomous communities.
The Ministry notes that this option is being urgently processed for roughly 500 minors, though the exact number may change. The State Secretary for Youth and Childhood Affairs, Ruben Perez, has been in Ceuta since last Sunday working on the plan.
The Position of Minister Elma Saiz
The Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, did not give a specific date on Wednesday for the transfer of about 500 minors who remain in Ceuta. She stressed that any decision must consider the child’s best interests and comply with the law.
“We are talking about children, and any measure will be aimed at protecting the interests of minors,” Saiz said in an interview with RNE. She explained that the transfer is “coordinated work between the Ministry of Childhood Affairs and the autonomous city,” and that the government’s task is to “accompany and protect,” in line with “European legislation.” Saiz emphasized that Spain is a “rule‑of‑law” state and must act according to national, European and international law.
The minister also recalled the “clear and delimited powers” between the state and the autonomous communities and assured that Ceuta “will not be left alone,” noting that the city has been allocated 25 million euros to fulfil its responsibilities.
Source: 20minutos
