The African Union condemns the "violent and degrading treatment" of migrants at the Melilla fence

The agency calls for an investigation and reminds countries of "their obligations under International Law"

MADRID, 27 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The African Union (AU) has expressed concern about the "violent and degrading treatment" of migrants who tried to cross the Melilla fence and has called for an "immediate" investigation to clarify the event, which has resulted in the death of 23 people.

"I express my deep shock and concern at the violent and degrading treatment of African migrants who tried to cross an international border from Morocco into Spain, with violence that caused the death of at least 23 people and the injury of many more," the president said. of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Thus, he has called for an investigation and has reminded all countries "of their obligations under International Law to treat all migrants with dignity and prioritize their safety and human rights, while avoiding the use of excessive force."

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) in the Moroccan city of Nador warned on Sunday that the number of corpses accumulated in the Nador mortuary is "much higher" than the 27 that the organization itself has been able to confirm, a figure higher than the 23 deaths confirmed by Morocco.

The event took place during an attempt by more than 2,000 sub-Saharans to cross the Melilla fence last Friday. More than a hundred people were injured, including dozens of policemen, although on Sunday only 18 migrants and one policeman were hospitalized, admitted to the Hassani Hospital and the Oujda University Hospital.