Nairobi – The African Union Commission chief has voiced his shock at the “violent and degrading” treatment of African migrants trying to cross from Morocco into Spain after 23 people died, and called for an investigation into the incident.
About 2 000 migrants stormed the heavily-fortified border between the Moroccan region of Nador and the Spanish enclave of Melilla on Friday.
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At least 23 migrants died and 140 police officers were wounded in the ensuing violence, according to Moroccan authorities. It was the heaviest toll in years of such attempts to cross the frontier at Melilla.
These are African refugees massacred at the frontier between Morocco and Spain for trying to cross the border ,left to die .There isn’t even the slightest hint to their plight from the press not to speak of human rights organizations ,what a cruel world! pic.twitter.com/AE2qEP0WQ2
— BOUSMAHA (@BOUSMAH79199901) June 25, 2022
“I express my deep shock and concern at the violent and degrading treatment of African migrants attempting to cross an international border from Morocco into Spain,” AU Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat said in a statement on Twitter late Sunday.
“I call for an immediate investigation into the matter and remind all countries of their obligations under international law to treat all migrants with dignity and to prioritise their safety and human rights, while refraining from the use of excessive force.”
The Chairperson of the AUC @AUC_MoussaFaki expresses shock at violent treatment of African migrants at Morocco-Spain border leading to deaths and injuries, calls for an immediate investigation. https://t.co/2WJaGG5QFw pic.twitter.com/Hfais4fgaH
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) June 26, 2022
BREAKING: Footage of Brutal and Inhumane treatment of African migrants attempting to cross an international border from Morocco into Spain. pic.twitter.com/QPxwtEn3iu
— BNN Newsroom (@BNNBreaking) June 27, 2022
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter/@_AfricanUnion
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