An incident of rape of a minor in a migrant camp in Ceuta raises human rights concerns

A new rape incident in one of the irregular migrant camps on “El Trampoline” Beach in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave in North Africa, has once again shed light on the difficult humanitarian conditions experienced by refugees and migrants. Large numbers of women, girls and children are still residing in temporary camps, while thousands of migrants continue to live in fragile conditions since the mass influx that the city witnessed in late July 2026.

The widely circulated German newspaper Bild reported, based on media reports, that the Spanish National Police arrested two Moroccans, aged 42 and 21, yesterday, Saturday (September 26, 2026), on suspicion of their involvement in the rape of a 17-year-old minor girl on “El Trampoline” beach in Ceuta.

The newspaper reported, based on Spanish police reports, that the security authorities were summoned following reports of hearing screams from inside the camp. When police officers arrived, the 17-year-old girl had just emerged from one of the tents. The report indicated that she was in a state of semi-consciousness, almost unable to stand. It was also found, according to the same source, that she was suffering from cuts to her legs and face, in addition to bleeding in the genital area. The authorities believe that she may have been exposed to a substance that affected her awareness or ability to resist.

The dilemma of temporary camps

The latest attack is not an isolated incident. After tens of thousands of migrants arrived in Ceuta in July, the Spanish Public Prosecution opened investigations into at least 23 cases related to alleged sexual assaults on female migrants. The victims' ages range from 14 to 17 years. Of the eight suspects identified so far, there are four Moroccans, three Spaniards and one Belgian.

Several human rights organizations active in Ceuta or working in the field of combating sexual violence, including Save the Children, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and Amnesty International, have previously warned of the extreme vulnerability suffered by migrant women in Ceuta, especially underage girls. These organizations called for urgent measures to be taken, including the provision of safe housing and specialized psychological and social support services.

“When a large number of displaced people gather in crowded places, the risk of sexual assaults increases,” said Lucila Rodríguez Alarcón, Director General of the Borcosa Foundation. She added that it is necessary to separate shower and restroom facilities for women and men, and to implement the protection measures adopted in refugee camps.