The Spanish authorities have deported over a dozen migrants from its North African enclave of Ceuta to Morocco, marking the first such operation since a massive border breach in July that overwhelmed the small autonomous territory.

The Spanish Interior Ministry claimed that the deported individuals had their asylum applications officially rejected, while non-governmental organizations reported that 16 people originating from various African, Middle Eastern, and Asian nations were sent back after Rabat allegedly agreed to accept them.

This ongoing migration crisis has evolved into a severe political dilemma for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ahead of snap elections. Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across the country to denounce the European regime's handling of the situation, providing ammunition for right-wing political opponents.

International watchdogs, including Amnesty International, have severely criticized the move, warning that the deported individuals might face human rights violations in Morocco. Meanwhile, Madrid has dismissed the criticism, insisting through official statements that the European Union considers Morocco a safe nation and that all deportations are conducted strictly within legal safeguards.

Source: www.aljazeera.com