Morocco: human rights groups highlights migrants in Spanish enclave

A human rights organisation in Morocco has revealed that 238 irregular migrants infiltrated the Spanish-controlled enclave of Melilla on Thursday. The migrants were all men, confirmed NGO the Moroccan Association for Human Rights.

According to local media, around 300 migrants tried to infiltrate Melilla, but only 238 managed to cross the border fence surrounding the city.

Relations between Morocco and Spain have been tense following Madrid’s decision to host the leader of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, who used a fake identity to enter the country in late April. The crisis was exacerbated by the influx of about 8,000 irregular migrants between 17 and 20 May to the other Spanish-controlled enclave in northern Morocco, the city of Ceuta.

Ceuta and Melilla, as well as Aljaferia Islands and other rocky islands in the Mediterranean, are still held by Spain. The government of Morocco regards them all as “occupied outposts”.

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