Latest update: 02/03/2010 

- Morocco - Spain


The 'human mules' of Ceuta

No Flash warning
To take advantage of all the features on FRANCE24.COM, please click here to download the latest version of Flash Player.

The Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Morocco is a smuggler’s paradise and a transit point for all kinds of contraband. Every day, the ritual is the same. These so-called "mule women" cross the border between Morocco and Spain, carrying bags on their backs weighing up to 80 kilos. But sometimes they can buckle under the weight and even suffocate to death.

REPORTERS
By FRANCE 24
The faces of French poverty
03/02/2012 - REPORTERS

The faces of French poverty

According to a recent survey, almost a quarter of French people have little or nothing left to live on at the end of the month. These "nouveaux poor" are students, single parents, casual workers and the elderly. Our reporter went to meet them.
(2) comments
Egypt’s Salafist surge
27/01/2012 - REPORTERS

Egypt’s Salafist surge

In a matter of months, Egypt’s ultra-conservative Salafists have beaten a path from marginalised religious sect to major political force. But what do we know about them, aside from their heavily religious roots? France 24’s Chris Moore and Noreddine Bezziou travelled to Egypt to find out.
(2) comments
France's lost football talent
20/01/2012 - REPORTERS

France's lost football talent

They could have been future French champions. But like many young footballers with dual nationality who were trained in France, Cheik and Mohamed have chosen to leave the country to play for their nationality of origin. How can these talented young players be persuaded to stay in France?
(5) comments
A Burmese spring
18/01/2012 - REPORTERS

A Burmese spring

After half a century of military dictatorship, there are signs of growing democratic openness in Burma. After freeing Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest in 2010, the regime has now released political prisoners and opened a dialogue with separatist guerrillas. Our reporters travelled across the country to find out why one of the most repressive dictatorships in the world is suddenly opening up.
(1) comment
Guantanamo prison, through Cuban eyes
13/01/2012 - REPORTERS

Guantanamo prison, through Cuban eyes

Despite US President Barack Obama’s promise to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, 171 men are still locked up there. Our reporters went to the two villages closest to the barbed wire surrounding the military base and met the Cubans living beside these awkward neighbours. It is a sensitive zone, just a few metres from the American watchtowers.

Comments (3)

This is another aspect of

by Anonyme - 05/08/2010 - 16:18

This is another aspect of shame on the face of both the Moroccan govt and the actual occupier of the north of Morocco: Spain. Are not these women "Human beings"?Instead of investing in games like football and other "mazagans/ shouha" ,better invest in the honor and the development of these mothers.

Fix your problems first

by Anonyme - 22/06/2010 - 17:23

one problem of this western civilization you try to glorify is that you pretend you have the best model sometimes is fails in your system but you dont see it
Ask Fins how women right are in work placement for instance.
Fix your problems and stop judging others

mule women

by Anonyme - 14/03/2010 - 06:26

..nobody cares about the women's right day! Where are all their male husbands, relatives? Maybe they sitting with friends in teashops and playing cards and smoking (smuggled) cigarettes? Or praying that fried chicken fall into their hands. Without doing anything. And the EU-parlament agrees to "invite" some 50 Millions of such people 'til 2030 - just to "fresh-up" our downgoing western civilization. All it happens under the umbrella of the romantic "Socio-multiculturalism"! Quo vadis Europe?

Post new comment
To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.

Related Content
Close