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Join on Telegram Rabat – The alarming number of Moroccans reported missing in Spain has sparked widespread concern. The Rif association for human rights hypothesized that the cases of disappearances may be linked to human organ trafficking. Spanish authorities, on the other hand, have ruled out any link between the disappearance of Moroccans and organ trafficking.
Spanish Security Forces registered 22,285 reports of missing people in Spain in 2021, which represents an increase of 21.5% compared to the previous year. The majority of missing people are Moroccans, reported Spanish news outlet El Espanol.
According to the same source, the Nador-based Rif association for human rights suspects that the cases of disappearances are linked to trafficking in human organs. The non-governmental organization urged Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to “monitor these cases of disappearances through the kingdom’s embassies and consulates.”
Said Charmati, president of the Rif association for human rights, argued that cases of disappearance have become a major concern for the security services in Spain, especially after Spanish human rights organizations raised the alarm about the dramatic growth of organ trafficking.
The NGO’s president added that the number of reported disappearances of Moroccans has risen to 2,423 cases, including children, minors, and the elderly.
Spain’s Interior Ministry completely rejects the possibility of organ or child trafficking. Police sources informed El Espanol that, “these are specific and voluntary disappearances of young people who leave the juvenile center and then return.”
Agents who work with minors in Ceuta and Melilla corroborate this version, saying that the vast majority of missing people are minors who ran away from the center and, even if they later came back, a report had already been made, increasing the total number of missing people.
Additionally, they stated that many of these young people frequently change their names, which causes their names to remain reported as missing.
In October, Spain announced plans to offer Morocco aid funding worth €30 million (MAD 321 million) to support the North African country in combating human trafficking and irregular migration. Both countries aim to improve cooperation against irregular migration.
