Hommam Al Nassim 
Non-governmental organizations released the results of an investigation two years after the tragedy of the deaths of at least 23 migrants while trying to cross the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla.
On June 24, 2022, about 2,000 migrants, the majority of whom were Sudanese, attempted to cross the barrier separating the Moroccan city of Nador from the Spanish enclave of Melilla, as the enclave of Ceuta and Melilla represent the only land borders between the European Union and the continent of Africa, and are considered major entry points for migrants seeking asylum.
The Moroccan authorities stated that 23 migrants lost their lives that day, which is the largest number of deaths recorded during attempts to cross this enclave, but the Moroccan Association for Human Rights confirms that the real toll is greater, announcing the killing of 27 and the loss of more than 70 migrants.
The “Border Forensics” organization, the “Iredia” non-governmental organization, and the Moroccan Association for Human Rights worked for a year to conduct an investigation that was published on June 18, entitled “The Border Trap between Nador and Melilla.”
Elsa Teisler, the lead researcher on this investigation, explained that the team interviewed more than 30 survivors of the massacre, along with actors on both sides of the border, and used geostatistical analyzes and satellite images to support their arguments.
The investigation confirmed that the massacre was not just an accident, but that the repression was prepared in advance. Moroccan forces went to the “Gorogo” camp on June 23, 2022, and informed the migrants that they had 24 hours to leave the place, otherwise they would face firearms, so the migrants decided to head towards the border early in the morning. Upon their arrival at the wall, the Moroccan authorities allowed this large group to arrive, which was unusual, and at that moment, the migrants faced comprehensive repression with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The group broke a door separating the Moroccan border center from the part under Spanish control, causing chaos. Some people succeeded in reaching the Spanish side, but the Spanish forces carried out resolute repulsive operations and returned 470 people to the Moroccan authorities.
Migrants who were returned to Morocco were subjected to violent beatings inside the Moroccan border post, which one survivor described as “hate.” The investigation indicated that the deaths resulted from repression with riot control equipment, beatings, and stampedes.
Amnesty International published a statement calling on the Moroccan and Spanish authorities to intensify their efforts to uncover the fate of at least 70 men who are still missing. Amnesty International criticized the lack of a transparent and effective investigation to enable the families of the victims to access truth, justice and compensation.
The United Nations Committee against Torture highlighted the lack of an effective investigation into the events and urged Spain to immediately investigate the responsibility of the security forces, but the Spanish authorities denied any wrongdoing and continued to carry out illegal mass expulsions.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights documented the burial by the Moroccan authorities of 51 bodies belonging to migrants who died in the incident, in graves without names.
Amnesty International described these measures as concealing the truth, calling for full transparency, revealing the fate of missing persons, allowing families to identify the bodies, and appointing independent experts to conduct forensic analysis.
The Moroccan authorities sentenced 86 people who attempted to cross into Spain to up to three years in prison, and Amnesty International expressed concern about the unfair trials faced by some survivors.
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