IN PICTURES: Protesters demand 'justice' on anniversary of Spain-Morocco border crush
Hundreds of protesters rallied Saturday near Spain's North African exclave of Melilla, bordering Morocco, to mark a mass attempt by migrants to storm the territory, in which at least 23 people died.
The "marches for justice", organised by several rights groups, denounced what they said was the authorities' refusal to investigate the causes of the incident.
At least 200 people demonstrated near the fences guarding Melilla, according to AFP journalists at the scene.
Demonstrators hold a banner reading "Justice for the Melilla massacre on 24th June. One year without justice, one year of impunity" in front of the fence guarding Melilla. (Photo by Jesus BLASCO DE AVELLANEDA / AFP)
Activist Quinndy Akeju said many families "had not yet identified or buried their dead" after some 2,000 migrants -- many from conflict-torn Sudan -- stormed the metres-high fence that seals off Melilla from Morocco on June 24, 2022.
A demonstrator holds a sign reading 'No one is illegal' during the protest. (Photo by Jesus BLASCO DE AVELLANEDA / AFP)
She claimed there had been no "independent inquiry" into how Moroccan and Spanish police repelled them in one of the biggest attempted migrant crossings into the enclave in recent years.
A demonstrator holds a sign reading 'Spanish State, murderer'. (Photo by Jesus BLASCO DE AVELLANEDA / AFP)
Protests were also held in several cities in Spain, including Madrid and Barcelona.
The Moroccan government says some migrants died after falling from the fences, while others suffocated as people panicked and a stampede started.
A demonstrator takes part in the protest near the fence guarding Melilla. (Photo by Jesus BLASCO DE AVELLANEDA / AFP)
But an Amnesty International report based on testimony from the scene said migrants were hit with tear gas, pelted with stones and beaten as well as kicked while on the ground.
Amnesty and other rights groups say at least 37 people were killed, with another 76 migrants still missing.
READ ALSO: Spain and Morocco 'contributed' to migrant deaths: Amnesty International
A demonstrator holds a sign reading 'Borders kill'. (Photo by Jesus BLASCO DE AVELLANEDA / AFP)
"To date, Morocco and Spain have failed to even release information to loved ones about the dead and missing or to acknowledge any wrongdoing," said a statement from Amnesty.
Their failure to properly investigate the disaster amounted to a violation of international law and of human rights, the group added.
Both Morocco and Spain have denied using excessive force, blaming the migrants for the violence.
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The "marches for justice", organised by several rights groups, denounced what they said was the authorities' refusal to investigate the causes of the incident.
At least 200 people demonstrated near the fences guarding Melilla, according to AFP journalists at the scene.
Activist Quinndy Akeju said many families "had not yet identified or buried their dead" after some 2,000 migrants -- many from conflict-torn Sudan -- stormed the metres-high fence that seals off Melilla from Morocco on June 24, 2022.
She claimed there had been no "independent inquiry" into how Moroccan and Spanish police repelled them in one of the biggest attempted migrant crossings into the enclave in recent years.
Protests were also held in several cities in Spain, including Madrid and Barcelona.
The Moroccan government says some migrants died after falling from the fences, while others suffocated as people panicked and a stampede started.
But an Amnesty International report based on testimony from the scene said migrants were hit with tear gas, pelted with stones and beaten as well as kicked while on the ground.
Amnesty and other rights groups say at least 37 people were killed, with another 76 migrants still missing.
READ ALSO: Spain and Morocco 'contributed' to migrant deaths: Amnesty International
"To date, Morocco and Spain have failed to even release information to loved ones about the dead and missing or to acknowledge any wrongdoing," said a statement from Amnesty.
Their failure to properly investigate the disaster amounted to a violation of international law and of human rights, the group added.
Both Morocco and Spain have denied using excessive force, blaming the migrants for the violence.
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