At the Western Doorstep: highlighting the human rights violations experienced by refugees
In 2018, Spain became the country to witness the highest number of arrivals of displaced people via Mediterranean Sea crossings; representing a shift from the trends of the past 10 years
Refugee Rights Europe (RRE), a Eurochild member, set out to research and highlight the experiences facing refugees and displaced people arriving in Europe through Morocco and via the Western Mediterranean route; and following their arrival in Spain. In particular, RRE sought to look at their lived experiences on Moroccan soil, in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, during the sea crossings, upon arrival in Spain and at the French and Spanish border.
The research findings are outlined in the brief overview report, followed by a set of policy recommendations in the final section. Overall, this report highlights the wide-ranging human rights violations that are faced by refugees and displaced people along the different stages of this experience; and calls upon the European Union and its Member States to take decisive action to counter these alarming developments.