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Moroccan authorities raid camp of migrants waiting to cross into Spain Moroccan authorities raid camp of migrants waiting to cross into Spain
(7 months later)
Moroccan authorities have carried out raids on a makeshift camp where some 1,000 migrants were living as they waited to rush the border fence that separates Morocco and Spain, according to a human rights group in Melilla. Moroccan authorities have carried out raids on a makeshift camp where some 1,000 migrants were living as they waited to rush the border fence that separates Morocco and Spain, according to a human rights group in Melilla.
The raids on Mount Gurugú, about 6 miles (10km) away from the Spanish enclave of Melilla, began on Sunday and were carried out over several days, said the Pro.De.In Association of Melilla.The raids on Mount Gurugú, about 6 miles (10km) away from the Spanish enclave of Melilla, began on Sunday and were carried out over several days, said the Pro.De.In Association of Melilla.
The first raid came while most of the residents were sleeping, a 17-year-old from Guinea named Cheick told El Mundo newspaper. "They flattened everything they found here. They destroyed our plastic tents, burned the little food we had left and the clothes we had. What are we going to do now?"The first raid came while most of the residents were sleeping, a 17-year-old from Guinea named Cheick told El Mundo newspaper. "They flattened everything they found here. They destroyed our plastic tents, burned the little food we had left and the clothes we had. What are we going to do now?"
The raids come just one week after migrants made seven attempts to rush the fence in the span of four days. After two months of relative calm, some 1,500 migrants tried to enter Spain via Melilla last week, with 80 of them managing to make it past the six-metre razor-wire border fence.The raids come just one week after migrants made seven attempts to rush the fence in the span of four days. After two months of relative calm, some 1,500 migrants tried to enter Spain via Melilla last week, with 80 of them managing to make it past the six-metre razor-wire border fence.
Migrants linked their efforts to scale the fence with the destruction of their camps. "They don't want us to get to the fence," said Mamadou, a 26-year-old migrant from Mali who has spent the past four months living in the camp. "It's retaliation. They're becoming more violent, and beating us with sticks. Yesterday they broke the arm of one of my friends."Migrants linked their efforts to scale the fence with the destruction of their camps. "They don't want us to get to the fence," said Mamadou, a 26-year-old migrant from Mali who has spent the past four months living in the camp. "It's retaliation. They're becoming more violent, and beating us with sticks. Yesterday they broke the arm of one of my friends."
Hundreds of migrants were put on buses to Fez and Rabat, said Carine from Cameroon, one of the few females living in the camp. Those left on the mountain had taken to waking up before dawn to hide from the authorities. "If they take you to Fez, you need money to return here. They leave you in the street. You don't sleep, don't eat, you can't do anything. Just beg to try to return here," said Mamadou.Hundreds of migrants were put on buses to Fez and Rabat, said Carine from Cameroon, one of the few females living in the camp. Those left on the mountain had taken to waking up before dawn to hide from the authorities. "If they take you to Fez, you need money to return here. They leave you in the street. You don't sleep, don't eat, you can't do anything. Just beg to try to return here," said Mamadou.
On Monday, Human Rights Watch urged Spain to investigate evidence that its Guardia Civil officers had beaten migrants with batons at the border fence. "Spain's right to secure its border doesn't give it carte blanche to abuse migrants," said HRW's Benjamin Ward.On Monday, Human Rights Watch urged Spain to investigate evidence that its Guardia Civil officers had beaten migrants with batons at the border fence. "Spain's right to secure its border doesn't give it carte blanche to abuse migrants," said HRW's Benjamin Ward.
The group also spoke out about reports of Spanish authorities returning migrants to Morocco after the migrants had touched Spanish soil. "The government in Madrid and local authorities in Melilla need to stop these illegal pushbacks and take action against any Guardia Civil officers who use excessive force against migrants." The NGO backed its statement with a video.The group also spoke out about reports of Spanish authorities returning migrants to Morocco after the migrants had touched Spanish soil. "The government in Madrid and local authorities in Melilla need to stop these illegal pushbacks and take action against any Guardia Civil officers who use excessive force against migrants." The NGO backed its statement with a video.
Speaking from the remains of their camp on Mount Gugurú, the migrants told El Mundo that they had their own message for Europeans. "Europe, you have to help us," said Cheick. "We're just looking for an opportunity. We're suffering so much here. What did we do to deserve all this? We're not animals. We're human beings."Speaking from the remains of their camp on Mount Gugurú, the migrants told El Mundo that they had their own message for Europeans. "Europe, you have to help us," said Cheick. "We're just looking for an opportunity. We're suffering so much here. What did we do to deserve all this? We're not animals. We're human beings."