A detailed report by Border Forensics has accused Spanish and Moroccan authorities of violently repressing migrants at the Melilla border, directing them to the Barrio Chino crossing where they were trapped and attacked. The Geneva-based agency asserts that the deaths from the Melilla incident on June 24, 2022, were intentional, not accidental.
Human rights advocates are urging accountability from both Moroccan and Spanish authorities two years after the tragic violence at the border of the Spanish enclave of Melilla. The report, released on June 18, highlights the need for transparency and justice for the victims and their families.
On June 24, 2022, approximately two thousand migrants attempted to scale the fence separating Nador, Morocco, from Melilla. According to Moroccan authorities, 23 people died, while the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) reports 27 fatalities. The Border Forensics report describes the scene as a “mass grave,” blaming the violent actions of law enforcement at the Barrio Chino crossing for the high death toll.
The analysis by Border Forensics, which uses spatial and visual methods to investigate border violence, indicates that the incident was no accident. The migrants, mostly sub-Saharan Africans, were directed towards the crossing and then violently repressed. The report, created in collaboration with the Defense of Human Rights Iridia and AMDH, used satellite images and testimonies from over 30 survivors. The investigation was funded by Pro Asyl, the Robert Bosch Stiftung, and the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung.
Contrary to official statements, the report refutes claims that migrant aggression caused the violence. It criticizes the official Spanish and Moroccan narratives that blamed the migrants for the deaths and denied responsibility. The Spanish authorities, claiming that the deaths occurred under Moroccan control, have closed their investigation without finding any violations. Meanwhile, Moroccan authorities have continued to prosecute survivors rather than investigating the responsible parties.
The report also highlights the persistent issues of border violence and racism, despite the tragedy. The border fence has been reinforced, and border crossings have decreased since the incident. However, the “system of racist repression” remains, as per Border Forensics’ findings. European and Spanish policies on externalizing migration control, Moroccan migration diplomacy, and the impunity for longstanding violence at the border are also criticized.
In response, Spain’s Interior Ministry defended the actions of the Civil Guard, claiming they acted with legality and respect for human rights. The Spanish State Attorney General’s Office and the Ombudsman have closed their investigations, finding no evidence of violations. Morocco’s Interior Ministry has not commented, but the country has expressed regret over the loss of life and emphasized its commitment to border security and controlling irregular migration.