Spain’s rush to clear Ceuta migrant backlog raises rights concerns

By Corina Pons and Victoria Waldersee CEUTA/MADRID, Oct 19 (Reuters) When heavily pregnant Fatna and her disabled son arrived in Spain s North African enclave of Ceuta during a chaotic mass border crossing on July 30, she hoped to be high on authorities list for help. Nearly three months later, with her newborn baby girl suffering from kidney problems, Fatna, 21, and her family urgently need to reach mainland Spain for specialist hospital treatment. However, travelling while her asylum claim is under review requires a permit that Spain s socialist government – ordinarily a staunch advocate of immigration – has been reluctant to grant to any of the thousands ​of migrants remaining in Ceuta. Some are still scattered on the streets or hiding in the rolling hills of the tiny 20-sq-km port city on Morocco s northeast border. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez s government is under pressure ‌from the EU and an increasingly frustrated populace to sort out the crisis and faces a snap election on