EU Migration Chief: Ceuta Images Fuel "Far Right"

Photos and videos of migrants crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta are bolstering support for far-right parties in Europe, despite a sharp overall decline in illegal arrivals to the bloc, European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner told Reuters on Friday.

More than 72,000 people crossed into the Spanish enclave from Morocco at the end of July, although most later left. Spain estimates that around 12,000 migrants, including minors, remain in Ceuta.

Brunner said that while the figures show a downward trend in illegal migration, dramatic images from Ceuta overshadow that progress and provide “fuel for the far right”. To demonstrate control over the situation, he added, it was essential to return the migrants as quickly as possible.

Asked about European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for an emergency framework to prevent mass migration from being used as a hybrid weapon, Brunner said the details would be discussed by the Council of the EU. The priority, however, remains the full implementation of the migration system already agreed by member states.

Brunner also defended the European Commission’s decision to facilitate talks between EU member states and representatives of the Afghan Taliban aimed at enabling the deportation of Afghans convicted of crimes in Europe. The approach has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, which warn that it risks legitimizing the Islamist regime and endangering those deported.

(Reuters, max)