Amnesty International accuses Spain and Morocco of covering up the tragedy in Melilla

Amnesty International on Friday 23 June accused Spain and Morocco of “camouflage” for failing to carry out a proper investigation into the deaths in 2022 of dozens of migrants and refugees during a massive border crossing attempt in Melilla, a Spanish enclave located in North Africa.

“A year after the carnage in Melilla, the Spanish and Moroccan authorities not only continue to deny any responsibility but also prevent steps to discover the truth”said Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard. The NGO criticizes the local authorities for not having attempted to repatriate the remains of the victims and for not having provided a complete list of the victims as well as the cause of death.

Some 2,000 migrants and refugees from sub-Saharan Africa tried to enter Melilla on June 24, 2022. At least 37 of them died, while at least 76 are still missing, according to the NGO.

The Spanish public prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into the incident but did not charge any of the officers present because they were, according to them, not informed of the events. Elected officials dismissed the idea of ​​a parliamentary inquiry. Moroccan authorities declined a request for comment.