Casablanca – Following the tragic events of June 24 at the Melilla border, the Council for the Elimination of Racial or Ethnic Discrimination (CEDRE), attached to the Spanish Ministry of Equality, has requested a review of its immigration agreements with Morocco.
After approving its recommendation by the Plenary on July 6, the CEDRE announced yesterday its request that “a prompt and rigorous independent investigation of the facts be carried out by the Moroccan authorities, in collaboration with the Spanish authorities and of the European Union, including specialized human rights organizations.”
The investigation will seek “to clarify the facts, identify the deceased and injured, as well as, where appropriate, prosecute their perpetrators, demand responsibilities and repair the damage caused to the victims and their relatives,” CEDRE said.
The council further underscored that the use of force must always be regulated by “the principles of proportionality and respect for human rights,” and that it should never be used excessively.
“If a given country is not capable of complying with these basic principles, it cannot be an integral part of a migration control agreement with Spain,” the statement emphasized.
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The council also made several recommendations to prevent the recurrence of tragedies like the recent Melilla incident. One of CEDRE’s proposals calls for reviewing the management of the EU-Morocco migration agreements to ensure compliance with the clauses guaranteeing respect for all people’s human rights.
This review, however, must include “the commitment to avoid the excessive use of force, in line with the content of the International Treaties ratified by Spain and the human rights regulations of the European Union,” the council added.
The CEDRE also targeted political representatives, asking them to issue accurate public remarks to avoid endorsing such activities and offending the victims’ families and friends.
It concluded by calling for a strong “commitment” to legal, peaceful, and safe migration, in conformity with the global migration compact reached at the Marrakech Conference in December 2018.
