A Moroccan human rights group has called for an independent investigation into deaths and alleged abuses during mass attempts to cross into the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in late July, saying it had received field and medical information indicating that live gunshots may have been heard during the incidents.
The Moroccan League for the Defense of Human Rights said Wednesday that the information requires independent verification to determine whether any deaths were linked to the use of firearms by security forces.
Presenting a report on the migration events at a news conference, the group said the most serious issue raised by its findings was the scale of the reported loss of life and significant discrepancies in casualty figures.
The league said the conflicting figures pointed to the absence of a unified and transparent record and highlighted difficulties faced by families seeking information, as well as possible coordination problems between hospitals, police, prosecutors, border authorities and institutions responsible for preserving bodies.
The group called for authorities to identify every victim and establish the location, time and medical cause of each death, as well as autopsy findings, the circumstances preceding each death and the outcome of any related judicial investigation.
It also urged a “rapid, independent and effective” investigation into every death that may have been connected to the use of force, pursuit operations, delays in rescue efforts or failures to provide adequate assistance.
Adel Chikito, the league’s president, said the report documented serious allegations of excessive force by Moroccan and Spanish security forces, including beatings, kicking, stone throwing and other forms of cruel or degrading treatment.
The group said it had collected video footage and testimonies that should undergo independent technical and judicial examination to establish when and where incidents occurred, identify those involved and determine whether the force used was proportionate to the threat.
“We recognize the right of states to protect their borders, prevent unauthorized crossings and protect residents, property and security forces,” Chikito said. “But the legitimacy of the objective does not make every means legitimate.”
The report said force should only be used when necessary and proportionately, while authorities should ensure access to medical care, documentation and accountability.
At the same time, the league addressed acts of violence and vandalism attributed to some participants in the attempted crossings, citing reports of stone throwing, property damage, vehicle fires and injuries among security forces and civilians.
The group said perpetrators should be held individually accountable, arguing that criminal acts by individuals or groups should not be used to justify collective punishment or deprive thousands of people of water, medical care or legal protection.
The report also highlighted the situation of women and girls, saying sleeping outdoors, a lack of separate and secure sanitation facilities, inadequate lighting and limited protection and monitoring had left them vulnerable to harassment and sexual violence.
The league said it had collected testimonies from women describing repeated harassment and attempted assaults, particularly at night and when they went to use toilets.
It also cited medical and judicial information concerning alleged rape attempts and sexual assaults involving minors. The group said such incidents demonstrated the need for safe spaces for women and girls, confidential reporting mechanisms and immediate medical, psychological and legal assistance, as well as protection for victims and witnesses.
Children were another focus of the report. The league said large numbers of minors had found themselves in dangerous areas, on the streets or in overcrowded reception centers, with some separated from their families.
The group said it had received accounts of minors being chased, beaten and verbally abused, while also raising concerns about inadequate protection and accommodation and difficulties in determining their ages.
The league stressed that children do not lose their rights because they crossed a border irregularly. It called for the best interests of the child to be prioritized in all decisions, including age and identity assessments conducted with respect for their dignity.
It also called for the appointment of legal representatives, access to food, medical care and shelter, and individual assessments before any minor is returned, including consideration of the child’s views, family situation and whether safe reception conditions exist.
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