Amnesty International has made serious allegations against members of the Spanish armed forces following a field mission in Ceuta and called for immediate investigations. The human rights organisation says that it held more than 65 conversations on site between 10 and 15 September 2026 and documented 22 direct witness accounts. The findings were published by the organisation and several Spanish media outlets on 29 and 30 September 2026.
According to the accounts documented, military personnel allegedly restrained migrants with handcuffs and gags, among other means, beat them and took them to remote locations. Amnesty points to visible marks on wrists and cases of repeated blows to people who had already been restrained. In the organisation’s view, some of these acts could constitute torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. At the same time, Amnesty acknowledges the difficult situation facing personnel on duty, while stressing their legal obligation to uphold national and international human rights standards even in exceptional circumstances.
Amnesty International says it has informed the Spanish government in Madrid and the authorities in the city of Ceuta in writing about its observations. It is calling for criminal and disciplinary investigations, the preservation of evidence and transparency about the steps taken. The organisation is also pressing for humanitarian measures: special protection for Minors and others in need of protection, access for medical and humanitarian services, and a review of possible legal violations at the Border, including unlawful Pushbacks.
The allegations have prompted political reactions in Spain . Opposition parties are calling for parliamentary scrutiny and independent investigations. Two aspects need to be distinguished: first, the accounts by those affected and witnesses documented by Amnesty; and second, the legal assessment and any criminal consequences. The authorities in Ceuta and Madrid are now obliged to examine the information and, where appropriate, open or coordinate investigations.
If the alleged ill-treatment is confirmed in independent proceedings, the consequences would be far-reaching: for the Spanish armed forces’ operations at the border, for cooperation with humanitarian organisations and for the political debate on migration and asylum policy in Spain. Amnesty International stresses that the state’s duty to protect human dignity and physical integrity cannot be qualified, even in tense situations at the external borders.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).