Spain slammed by the UN for expelling a Malian child who entered Melilla through Morocco

The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a body of independent experts that monitors and reports on implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, denounced in February Spain’s expulsion of a Malian child who entered the country through Morocco in 2014.

According to El Pais, Malian minor known as Moussa, who was 15 years old at the time, tried to cross the fence separating Morocco from Melilla several times. «During these attempts, Moroccan security forces stopped him and beat him repeatedly. Once he lost a tooth and walked 20 kilometers to get back to the camp where he used to sleep», the same source recalled. 

On December the 2nd, 2014, he finally managed to cross the border and enter Melilla. However, he got stuck on top of the fence and when he got down the Spanish Civil Guard handcuffed him and handed him back to the Moroccan authorities.

For the UN body, the minor «did not receive legal assistance and was not able to communicate with the authorities without an interpreter».

Hence, the Committee believes that Spain «violated three articles from the Convention on the Rights of the Child». The UN body’s opinion was issued on February the 1st.