The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has recently unveiled alarming statistics regarding the mass influx of migrants to Ceuta at the end of July. A total of 141 bodies have been documented on both the Spanish and Moroccan sides, alongside numerous arrests and ongoing reports concerning missing persons and the injured. This information was disclosed following a press conference organized by the AMDH in collaboration with the European Coordination for Human Rights in Morocco on August 7. An interview with AMDH President Souad Brahim was conducted by Migrant News to shed light on the latest developments after over a week of the massive migrant surge from Morocco to Ceuta on July 30 and 31.
Documented Deaths and Missing Persons
According to reports, at least 141 individuals have died, with 81 bodies recovered from the Spanish side and 63 from the Moroccan side, as reported by the Spanish NGO, Comandos Fronteras. These figures only account for bodies discovered floating in the water, and it is presumed that there are more bodies submerged, as the Moroccan authorities have not conducted thorough searches. Eyewitness accounts from migrants returning from Ceuta indicate that they traversed over corpses, with legs encountering heads and bodies due to the cramped conditions in the 40-square-meter area of Tarajal that separates Morocco from Spain. The situation is expected to worsen as more bodies may still be unaccounted for.
In terms of missing persons, complaints are being received by our local branches individually. We are actively compiling data concerning this issue, recognizing that the numbers fluctuate daily with some missing individuals being found while others remain unaccounted for. Our on-the-ground team has observed injuries caused by military violence and the perilous crossing methods utilized. The Spanish authorities have returned migrants through narrow, irregular pathways, exacerbating the risk of injuries. It is critical to note that the number of injured individuals has not been specified in the report, and we prefer to withhold figures until comprehensive documentation is complete.
Arrests and the Nature of the Migrant Influx
We have documented 59 reported arrests in Tetouan, including five minors. Additionally, there have been 52 arrests in Nador, with 18 minors among them, including two girls who were placed in a child protection center. Of those arrested in Nador, 11 face serious criminal charges in court, with potential sentences exceeding twenty years. Furthermore, a significant number of drivers have been prosecuted for allegedly facilitating irregular migration.
Interestingly, while the majority of other nationalities were not returned to Morocco, they remained in Ceuta, often in forests and other areas. The scale of this migration is indicative of a mass exodus, with Moroccan authorities estimating around 40,000 individuals involved, while Spanish officials report approximately 72,000. This unprecedented movement, characterized by thousands traveling from various Moroccan cities simultaneously, resembles a collective exodus rather than the sporadic migration incidents of the past where individuals attempted to cross the border or swim individually.
This sudden surge has raised questions regarding governmental responsibility and communication, as it appears that there were no measures or guidance given to the public about the circumstances that led to this mass exodus. There are suspicions of underlying political motives linked to Spain's stance on issues such as Western Sahara and Palestine, alongside geopolitical discussions about gas, suggesting a confluence of political, economic, and security factors contributing to this crisis.
For further details on this critical issue and the ongoing humanitarian crisis, please refer to the original reporting by infomigrants.net.