In a distressing situation at Madrid Airport, several hundred migrants, predominantly from Senegal, Somalia, and Morocco, find themselves stranded and living in dire conditions as they seek asylum.
According to reports by international news agencies, Human rights groups in Spain report that these migrants are sleeping in inappropriate spaces, some in small tents and others in unsanitary, cramped areas within the airport.
The Spanish Refugee Assistance Commission (CEAR) reveals a significant increase in the number of people applying for international protection at Madrid’s Barajas International Airport since last year. CEAR spokesperson Elena Munoz describes the challenges faced by these asylum seekers, stating, “People are sleeping on mattresses on the floor, and instead of a bed shared by several people, others are sleeping on cardboard.”
Approximately 400 people were stuck at the airport last week, with more arriving daily, according to Munoz. The situation has prompted concerns about the health and living conditions of the migrants, as they resort to washing clothes in the airport’s common toilets.
The Spanish government acknowledges the issue and has implemented additional measures to address it. Security forces at the airport, including police, border officials, and cleaning staff, have been increased. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also imposed new requirements for citizens of certain countries, such as Kenya and Senegal, requiring a passport to enter Spain even when in transit to another country.
Despite these actions, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, after visiting the airport, highlights a severe health situation among the stranded migrants. The Red Cross expresses similar concerns and temporarily suspends its services at the airport.
Illegal immigration and asylum have become contentious political issues globally, with 2023 marking the year with the highest number of immigrants arriving in Spain.
Mustaqbal
