The Nador section of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH-Nador) broadcast a video on Sunday pointing to the responsibility of Spanish agents on the other side of the fence between Melilla and Nador, in the events of June 24th. According to the official report, 23 foreign nationals died, 77 others were injured, as well as 140 members of the Moroccan authorities, during an attempt to cross 2,000 migrants. Images showed that in parallel with the launch of tear gas on the Moroccan side, to push back access to the border fences, the members of the forces of the Spanish enclave resorted to the same use, creating a situation where the nationals were surrounded by the gas on both sides.
According to the NGO, the situation would have precipitated the death of the migrants. Last week, the elements of a preliminary report of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) on the dramatic events of June 24 estimated that the deaths would be linked mainly to “mechanical asphyxia”, due to jostling movements during the operation. AMDH-Nador’s observation goes in the direction of “the hypothesis of violence behind the fence due to the reluctance of the Spanish authorities to provide assistance and relief despite the jostling and the closing of the iron gates”, as than retained by the CNDH fact-finding mission, which indicates that it has met with the associative actors of the region.
Made public last Wednesday, the document however indicated that the mission was not able to determine the origin of the injuries, “between the hypothesis of a fall from the fence, the overcrowding and the possibility of an appeal disproportionate to strength. On July 20, the AMDH also plans to present its report and conclusions regarding the drama that occurred at the closing with Melilla.