Death of migrants in Melilla: Amnesty criticizes Spain and Morocco

Status: 13.12.2022 8:14 p.m

At least 37 migrants died in June trying to climb the border fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla. Amnesty accused the countries of committing “crimes against humanity”.

The human rights organization Amnesty International has accused Spain and Morocco of being jointly responsible for the deaths of at least 37 migrants in June at the border fence of the Spanish North African exclave of Melilla. Spain continues to deny any responsibility for the deaths.

Amnesty sees responsibility in both countries

“Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnès Callamard spoke in Madrid of massive killings, enforced disappearances, torture, forced returns and racism. The director of the Spanish section of the human rights group specifically blamed Spanish officials for the tragedy.

Security officials in both countries were guilty of “crimes against humanity”. Instead of helping the injured, Spanish security forces forcibly pushed them back to Morocco.

Spanish government disagrees

The Spanish Interior Ministry dismissed the allegations as “absolutely false”. Eleven migrants were then given medical care on the Spanish side. The allegations made by Amnesty were based only on statements by “interested circles”. The deaths are tragic circumstances on the territory of another country. Spanish police officers obeyed the law and nobody died on Spanish soil.

On June 24, nearly 2,000 migrants attempted to cross the border fences between Morocco and Melilla to enter the EU. According to official figures, at least 23 people died and hundreds were injured. According to human rights groups in Morocco, 77 people have since gone missing.

Melilla: Amnesty blames Spain and Morocco for deaths

Franka Welz, ARD Madrid, December 13, 2022 7:27 p.m

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