Rabat – The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has called for the immediate disclosure of the fate of people reported missing during attempts to reach occupied Ceuta, urging Spanish authorities to investigate alleged physical assaults against migrants documented during the recent migration crisis.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the organization expressed deep concern over the growing number of missing persons following the deadly attempts to reach the Spanish-controlled enclave by land and sea. It stressed that families have the right to know the fate of their relatives and called for urgent measures to identify those who remain unaccounted for.
The rights group noted that the death toll had reached at least 67 at the time of its statement, warning that the number could rise further as authorities continue searching for missing people.
AMDH emphasized that the right to life is protected under international human rights law and said governments have a legal obligation to safeguard this right, particularly in migration contexts. It argued that the current priority should be determining the whereabouts of all missing individuals, whether they are believed to have reached occupied Ceuta or disappeared during the crossing.
The organization also urged authorities to carry out forensic examinations and DNA testing to identify unidentified bodies, while establishing effective mechanisms for sharing information between the relevant institutions to speed up the identification process.
In addition, AMDH called for a joint Moroccan-Spanish coordination mechanism to facilitate the identification and repatriation of victims’ bodies, allowing families to bury their relatives with dignity.
The organization further urged the Spanish government to launch an urgent investigation into what it described as physical assaults against migrants in occupied Ceuta. It referred to videos circulating on social media and reports in the media that allegedly show migrants being subjected to violence, including attacks involving bladed weapons, saying the incidents require an independent inquiry to establish responsibility and prevent impunity.
The statement concluded by offering condolences to the families of the victims and pledged that the organization would continue monitoring developments until the fate of all missing persons is clarified and the rights of victims and their relatives are respected.
