Rights groups denounce Spain and Morocco’s lack of justice as Melilla tragedy anniversary nears

By JENNIFER O’MAHONY
Associated Press

MADRID (AP) — Rights groups have denounced a lack of justice and transparency over the deaths of at least 37 migrants in June 2022 as they attempted to cross the border from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Melilla. Up to 2,000 African migrants tried to climb a border wall and dozens were crushed, beaten and denied medical attention by security forces at the border crossing. Ahead of the tragedy’s anniversary, Amnesty International said the Spanish and Moroccan authorities were “preventing attempts to find the truth” of what happened. The independent Spanish Commission for Refugees once again ordered authorities to clarify what happened that day in the interest of truth, justice and reparations. It also demanded the launch of an independent investigation.