SPAIN: ECHR JUDGMENT A BLOW TO REFUGEE AND MIGRANT RIGHTS

People must have access to asylum procedures and to appeal any decision, regardless of how they entered the country they wish to seek sanctuary in

Spain: ECHR judgment a blow to refugee and migrant rights

Reacting to the European Court of Human Rights’ finding that Spain did not violate the European Convention on Human Rights when it summarily expelled two men from the Melilla enclave to Morocco, Anna Shea, Researcher on Refugee and Migrant Rights at Amnesty International, said:

“That the court has today decided that Spain was within its rights to do this, because the men entered the country irregularly, is truly a blow for refugees and migrant rights. People must have access to asylum procedures and to appeal any decision, regardless of how they entered the country they wish to seek sanctuary in.”