Rabat – When speaking to the i24 news channel, sub-Saharan migrants recounted stories of the abuse they faced at the hands of Algerian authorities.
The statements came as part of an investigation carried out by the news channel, following the Melilla tragedy which left 23 migrants dead and hundreds injured.
As the majority of the migrants had traveled through Algeria on their way to other countries, many of them told stories of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of the authorities there. Such abuse caused many to eventually seek refuge in Morocco instead.
One of the migrants affirmed that Algerian soldiers hit him and broke his hands, prompting him to enter Morocco.
“The Algerians hurt us, treat us badly,” another one of the immigrants told i24. “They hit us, they take our money.”
The migrants have also recounted stories of blackmail and extortion, recalling how local guides charged them upwards of 500 euros to avoid being turned into the Algerian authorities
Once handed over to the Algerian army, however, migrants said the soldiers informed them that they must continue to Morocco or face physical harm. Some of the immigrants mentioned death and rape threats made by the Algerian soldiers.
The testimonies corroborate Morocco’s accusation that Algeria has been systematically weaponizing immigrants against the kingdom.
While most migrants who arrive in Morocco intend to eventually continue to Europe, i24’s report also found that many of them decided to stay and settle in Morocco instead.
On Friday June 24, thousands of migrants attempted to cross the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, leading to violent clashes between the migrants and security forces.
The events resulted in the death of 23 migrants and the injuries of hundreds of migrants and the security personnel.
