The CGPJ requests judicial reinforcements in Ceuta in the face of the migration crisis

On July 30, some 80,000 foreigners arrived in Ceuta. Almost 20 years later, between 5,000 and 10,000 still remain in a city that usually has 89,000 inhabitants. Doctors, nurses and social services cannot cope. Neither do the judges. For this reason, the Permanent Commission of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) has requested reinforcements to “deal with the migration crisis.”

After studying a report from the inspection service that warns about the difficult situation of justice in the autonomous city, the governing body of judges sees the need for "a reinforcement of two magistrates for the guard service and the plaza with jurisdiction over violence against women" after it emerged that at least 15 girls have been raped in recent days. The CGPJ has asked the Superior Court of Justice of Andalusia to “initiate the procedures to request this support measure.”

In addition, the CGPJ has informed the Ministry of Justice "of the need to temporarily reinforce the court with experienced personnel, both officials and a lawyer from the Administration of Justice, until the crisis is overcome. Finally, the governing body of the judges has announced that the member José Antonio Montero will visit the judicial bodies of the autonomous city in the coming days.

The task of judges in the face of this crisis is fundamental, because the law gives them a leading role in launching expulsion proceedings for people who have entered Spanish territory illegally. Article 58.6 of Organic Law 4/2000, of January 11, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (LOEX) determines that when the return of foreigners who enter Spain irregularly cannot be carried out within 72 hours of arrival, the judicial authority is requested to detain them in a Foreigner Detention Center (CIE) provided for expulsion procedures.