Madrid (Spain) 17 September 2024 (SPS)– International media revealed the torture and human rights abuses suffered by Moroccan and African migrants in Morocco, where the Moroccan regime is using illegal migration as a tool to pressure its European neighbors, particularly Spain.
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, thousands of Moroccans attempted to migrate to Ceuta, in reaction to the dire economic and social conditions in Morocco. The phenomenon also exposed the levels of frustration and despair among Moroccan youth, both male and female, who are seeking to escape poverty and repression in Morocco.
Spanish, Algerian, and even Moroccan media, along with social media, reported that many Moroccan families rushed to the border near Ceuta to search for their children after the horrific crackdown on migrants. The number of detainees has risen to around five thousand, including children, minors, and young adults.
Reports indicate that arrests also included many people hiding in nearby mountains, waiting for an opportunity to cross the border.
Meanwhile, videos shared by Moroccan activists showed Moroccan security forces violently pursuing young migrants and subjecting them to severe beatings and torture.
These police violence can be considered as part of Morocco's attempts to assert its role in "protecting European borders" in exchange for financial aid from Europe, raising questions about Morocco's commitment to international human rights standards related to the treatment of migrants.
Moroccan and foreign analysts suggest that the current situation is not only a result of Morocco's economic, political, and social crises but also a strategy by the Moroccan regime to use migration as a tool to pressure Europe.
Observers believe that the large crowds at the border may be part of a pressure tactic aimed at threatening Spain with an increase in illegal migrants if Morocco's demands are not met.
Human rights sources have confirmed that Morocco has previously used the migration issue as leverage in past crises, such as during the 2022 conflict with Spain over the reception of Sahrawi President Brahim Ghali for medical reasons. At that time, Rabat used the migration issue to extract a political stance from the Spanish government.
This also includes the bloody crackdown on African migrants in June 2022, which resulted in the killing of dozens while they were attempting to enter the Spanish city of Melilla.
International press coverage highlights these abuses, considering Morocco's use of illegal migration as a means of pressure to be a serious disregard for human rights and a real threat to regional stability.
Moreover, it is well-known that the Moroccan Kingdom does not hesitate to exploit dangerous “cards” against its neighbors, mainly using migration, drug trafficking, organized crime, and terrorism.
Shocking reports and testimonies from survivors and former detainees in Moroccan prisons confirm that Moroccan security agencies employ these tactics to destabilize the security and stability of many neighboring countries. (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
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