Hidden Tragedy: The Ongoing Agony of Missing and Dead in Melilla-Morocco Cover-up

Trapped in Limbo: Families Seek Justice and Truth in the Aftermath of Tragedy at the Melilla Border

An Apparent Cover-Up

On the eve of the first anniversary of the deadly events that took place on the border of Spain’s Melilla enclave, Amnesty International has revealed that the families of the dead and missing are trapped in a state of limbo. Their attempts to find out what happened to their loved ones and their efforts to ensure justice, truth, and reparation are being impeded in what appears to be a cover-up orchestrated by Spanish and Moroccan authorities.

Last year, on June 24, approximately 2,000 Sub-Saharan African migrants and refugees attempted to cross from Morocco to Spain, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 people, with 76 still missing. However, authorities in both Spain and Morocco have failed to conduct a credible independent investigation into the tragic events, leaving scores of grieving families in anguish.

A Denial of Responsibility

According to Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, one year on from the carnage at Melilla, Spanish and Moroccan authorities not only deny any responsibility but also prevent attempts to uncover the truth. Bodies still lie in a morgue and in graves, and efforts to identify the deceased and inform their relatives have been consistently blocked.

Furthermore, both Spanish and Moroccan authorities have failed to repatriate the victims’ remains, with at least 22 bodies still in a Moroccan morgue. They have also refrained from providing a full list of victims’ names, causes of death, and crucial CCTV footage that could inform an investigation. In addition, there has been a lack of investigation into actions that potentially constitute crimes under international law and human rights violations, as well as into racism and discrimination at the border.

Spanish authorities have refused to open an independent probe, and in December 2022, prosecutors dropped their investigation into the deaths, citing a lack of evidence of criminal misconduct by Spanish security forces. On the Moroccan side, there has been no investigation into the use of force by border officials, and families and NGOs have faced tremendous obstacles in their search for the missing and the deceased.

Continuing Unlawful Practices

Amnesty International’s written requests to both the Moroccan and Spanish governments for information sharing have gone unanswered. Meanwhile, Spanish authorities continue to engage in unlawful practices at their borders, including collective expulsions often involving excessive force. At the same time, Moroccan authorities, in cooperation with Spain, prevent Black Sub-Saharan Africans from reaching Spanish territory to apply for asylum at the border post.

A 2022 report by Amnesty International found that the tragic events in June 2022 were predictable and that the loss of life could have been avoided. In November of the same year, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance stated that the violence at Melilla revealed the EU’s status quo at its borders, characterized by racialized exclusion and deadly violence deployed to keep out people of African and Middle Eastern descent, as well as other non-white populations.

The Dehumanizing Treatment at Europe’s Borders

The tragic events in Melilla serve as a salutary reminder of the consequences of racist migration policies aimed at fortifying borders and restricting safe and legal routes for those seeking safety in Europe. The racialized element and the dehumanizing treatment of Black people at Europe’s borders, whether they are living, missing, or dead, cannot be ignored.

According to Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, the lessons of Melilla must be learned. The deliberate and concerted cover-up that seems increasingly evident must be confronted to prevent further arbitrary loss of life, violence, and impunity at borders. Failure to address these issues will only further compound the suffering of individuals seeking protection.

The Need for Urgent Action

As we approach the first anniversary of the tragic events at the Melilla border, it is imperative that Spanish and Moroccan authorities take immediate action to address the concerns raised by Amnesty International. This includes conducting an independent and credible investigation into the deaths, ensuring the repatriation of victims’ remains, releasing a comprehensive list of victims’ names and causes of death, providing access to CCTV footage, and investigating potential crimes under international law.

Furthermore, it is essential to address the systemic racism and discrimination faced by individuals attempting to cross borders in search of safety and refuge. This requires comprehensive policy reforms, including dismantling racialized exclusionary practices and providing greater support for legal and safe migration routes.

The tragedy at the Melilla border should not be forgotten, but rather serve as a rallying cry for justice, truth, and human rights. Only through accountability and transparency can we hope to prevent further loss of life and the perpetuation of discriminatory practices at borders.

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