Ceuta border fence
Encyclopedia
The Ceuta border fence is a separation barrier
between Morocco
and Spain
at Ceuta
, a city in the North African coast. Constructed by Spain
, its purpose is to stop illegal immigration
and smuggling
.
Morocco objected to the construction of the barrier since it does not recognize Spanish sovereignty in Ceuta.
The fence consists of parallel 3-metre (10-foot) fence
s topped with barbed wire
, with regular watchposts and a road running between them to accommodate police patrols or ambulance service in case of need. Underground cables connect spotlights, noise and movement sensors, and video cameras to a central control booth; dozens of Guard ships and patrol boats check the coast, while 621 Guardia Civil officers and 548 police officers control the shore.
s and Moroccan gunfire, a number of migrants died (sources put the number of deaths between thirteen and eighteen people) and more than fifty were injured. Some of the dead were wounded by live ammunition; of those, two died at the Spanish side of the fence, apparently shot from the Moroccan positions.
Since then, migrants have occasionally died while trying to break through the fence.
Separation barrier
A separation barrier is a wall or fence constructed to limit the movement of people across a certain line or border, or to separate two populations. These structures vary in placement with regard to international borders and topography...
between Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
at Ceuta
Ceuta
Ceuta is an autonomous city of Spain and an exclave located on the north coast of North Africa surrounded by Morocco. Separated from the Iberian peninsula by the Strait of Gibraltar, Ceuta lies on the border of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Ceuta along with the other Spanish...
, a city in the North African coast. Constructed by Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, its purpose is to stop illegal immigration
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
and smuggling
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
.
Morocco objected to the construction of the barrier since it does not recognize Spanish sovereignty in Ceuta.
The fence consists of parallel 3-metre (10-foot) fence
Fence
A fence is a freestanding structure designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary. It is generally distinguished from a wall by the lightness of its construction: a wall is usually restricted to such barriers made from solid brick or concrete, blocking vision as well as passage .Fences...
s topped with barbed wire
Barbed wire
Barbed wire, also known as barb wire , is a type of fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strand. It is used to construct inexpensive fences and is used atop walls surrounding secured property...
, with regular watchposts and a road running between them to accommodate police patrols or ambulance service in case of need. Underground cables connect spotlights, noise and movement sensors, and video cameras to a central control booth; dozens of Guard ships and patrol boats check the coast, while 621 Guardia Civil officers and 548 police officers control the shore.
History
In 1993 a 8,4km fence was built around the exclave. As the first fence was too easy to cross the construction of a new system started in 1995. After 13 to 15 people died in a single attempt to cross the border in 2005 an increase of height was made, from three to six meters.2005 assault
On September 29, 2005, the border-fence was assaulted by hundreds of migrants simultaneously, grabbing international media attention. Caught between the Spanish rubber bulletRubber bullet
Rubber bullets are rubber or rubber-coated projectiles that can be fired from either standard firearms or dedicated riot guns. They are intended to be a non-lethal alternative to metal projectiles...
s and Moroccan gunfire, a number of migrants died (sources put the number of deaths between thirteen and eighteen people) and more than fifty were injured. Some of the dead were wounded by live ammunition; of those, two died at the Spanish side of the fence, apparently shot from the Moroccan positions.
Since then, migrants have occasionally died while trying to break through the fence.
External links
- Ceuta, the border-fence of Europe
- Mustafa, the swimming fridge smuggler, and his macabre pact
- Attacking Europe's border fences
- Ceuta border fence photo gallery: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
