Rabat – The United Nations’ Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families discussed on Wednesday the 2022 Melilla migrant tragedy with a Moroccan delegation in Geneva.
The committee examined the second periodic report from Morocco on its evolving legal framework for migrants, with Chairperson Edgar Corzo Sosa welcoming the “significant level of development in policy relating to the Convention.”
Committee experts asked about the process of investigations into the tragedy, the existence of a report that attributes responsibility, and whether racial discrimination was a factor in the events.
The Moroccan delegation, led by Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills Younes Sekkouri, said the events were tragic and “brought deep suffering” to the country.
“It showed the real complexity of migration and smuggling, and highlighted Morocco’s unique position because of its geography as well as the increased instability in the Sahel,” the delegation’s response said.
They said preliminary investigations had used DNA methods to identify the victims as soon as the tragedy happened, with Morocco’s National Human Rights Council investigating the reports to ensure transparency.
“Soon after the events at Melilla, information was provided by the State party on the events to the relevant United Nations bodies and special procedures mandate holders, but also to global partners,” the response continued. “Morocco would continue to be committed to transparency on the issue.”
The delegation additionally highlighted that the incident showed the necessity of bilateral agreements to address the dangers of smuggling rings.
Read also: Moroccan MPs: Melilla Tragedy Was a ‘Migration Mafias’ Operation
Despite pointing out that details about the investigation could be disseminated more publicly, Committee Expert Mamane Oumaria said Morocco “was a positive example to other states on the African continent on the issue of migration.”
Sekkouri also called the dialogue with the committee “fruitful,” saying Morocco would do its best to implement any recommendations that will come from the committee.
On June 24, 2022, thousands of migrants attempted to scale the narrow passage of the Barrio Chino border, resulting in clashes with Moroccan police who were protecting the Melilla border.
The incident led to the death of 23 people, while 140 law enforcement officials and 77 migrants suffered injuries.
