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Two years after the border tragedy at Melilla's fence with Nador on June 24, 2022, at least 70 migrants remain missing. In a recent statement, Amnesty International called on Morocco and Spain to «step up their efforts» to uncover the fate of these missing migrants.
On that day, nearly 2,000 people attempted to reach the Spanish enclave by land, at a closed border crossing near Barrio Chino. Authorities reported 23 deaths, while the Moroccan Human Rights Association (AMDH) estimates at least 27.
Amnesty's statement comes two years after the events, on the same day that Morocco announced its judicial authorities had closed the case. The Public Prosecutor's Office concluded there was «absence of proof of a crime» and «proportionate use of force» on the part of the Moroccan authorities. These conclusions align with those previously made by Spanish judges regarding Madrid's responsibility.
Alleged «secret burials»
But for the NGO, it remains «outrageous» that two years after the tragedy, «families of more than 70 who remain missing are still having to fight for answers about what happened to their loved ones at the hands of Moroccan and Spanish security forces».
In 2023, the UN Committee against Torture noted the «absence of an effective investigation» into the deadly events of June 24, 2022. The Committee urged Spain to «promptly investigate» the responsibility of its security forces and «take steps to ensure such an incident does not recur». For its part, Amnesty recalls that «so far Spanish authorities have denied any wrongdoing and continued to carry out unlawful collective expulsions to push back people at its borders».
«To date authorities in both Morocco and Spain have failed to ensure a transparent and effective investigation to provide victims’ families with access to truth, justice and reparations», said Amjad Yamin, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.
Amnesty alleges, citing reports of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH)’s Nador branch, that the authorities «conducted secret burials of some of those killed».
AMDH alleges that «a number of corpses being retrieved from the morgue of Al Hasani hospital and taken to Sidi Salem cemetery in the presence of security forces. At least 13 bodies were buried between 6 and 12 June».
Calling for transparency, Amnesty asked in particular about «the fate and whereabouts of all those missing, including the causes of death of those who have been buried».
