Is Morocco Making Migrants Disappear?

Summary

The video script recounts the tragic disappearance of Adam Bakit, a Sudanese refugee who fled to Europe but vanished in Morocco. It details the events of June 24th, 2020, when Adam and approximately 2,000 others, predominantly Sudanese, attempted to cross from Morocco into Spain's enclave of Melilla. The Moroccan police responded with rubber bullets, tear gas, and physical violence, leading to an unknown number of deaths and disappearances. The script explores the Moroccan government's role in preventing migrants from reaching Europe, allegedly acting on behalf of the EU, which funds such measures. It also highlights the challenges faced by journalists in reporting on these events and the stories of survivors. The EU's outsourcing of border control to countries like Morocco is criticized, with implications of the EU's avoidance of accountability. The narrative concludes with the ongoing struggle of refugees, like Mustafa, Adam's brother, who continue to seek peace and a place in Europe despite the immense obstacles.

Takeaways

• 📸 Last known photo of Adam, taken in Morocco, was from May 17, 2022, a month before he went missing.
• 🏃 Adam fled the war in Sudan and was trying to reach Europe to meet his brother Mustafa.
• 🚨 On June 24, 2022, Adam and around 2,000 others, mostly from Sudan, attempted to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's enclave of Melilla.
• 🛡️ Moroccan police used rubber bullets, tear gas, and physical force against the migrants, leading to injuries and disappearances.
• 🏛️ Migrants in Melilla have the right to seek asylum in the EU without leaving Africa, but Europe employs extreme measures to prevent this.
• 🤝 Morocco is enlisted by Europe to help keep migrants out, with the Moroccan government reporting 23 deaths and many missing on the day of the incident.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Journalists faced significant risks in Morocco, necessitating undercover reporting methods to investigate the incident.
• 🛂 The border area is heavily secured to prevent black migrants from approaching the border and to avoid scrutiny of the events that took place.
• 🚨 Survivor accounts suggest that those who made it into Spanish territory were returned to Morocco and subjected to further violence.
• 🚌 Injured migrants were transported to remote locations, with some dying during transit, suggesting a policy of forced disappearance.
• 💰 The EU has directed at least 19 billion EUR to countries outside its borders for migration management, which includes Morocco.
• ⚖️ Despite the EU providing funding for these measures, it has avoided accountability for the incident, with investigations failing to address the issue of the disappeared.

Q & A

When was the last time Adam was heard from before he went missing?

The last time Adam was heard from was on 17 May 2022, a little over a month before he went missing.

What happened to Adam and others on June 24th of last year when they tried to cross the border from Morocco to Melilla?

Adam and about 2,000 others, mostly from Sudan, were penned into an enclosed area by the police, who shot them with rubber bullets, tear-gassed them, and beat them. Many were severely or mortally wounded, and close to 80 people went missing that day.

What is the legal status of Melilla in relation to Spain and the EU?

Melilla is one of two cities in Morocco that officially belong to Spain, and it is a part of the EU's external borders where migrants have the right to seek asylum without leaving Africa.

Why is Morocco a dangerous place for journalists reporting on migration issues?

Morocco is dangerous for journalists because the government heavily surveils and controls the narrative around migration. Journalists reporting on these issues risk arrest and other forms of retaliation.

What measures did the journalists take to safely report the story in Morocco?

The journalists had to pose as tourists and use their phones to shoot footage to avoid detection and arrest.

What is the strategy used by the Moroccan government to deter migrants from reaching Europe?

The Moroccan government, with support from the EU, uses a strategy of deterrence that includes violent measures to prevent migrants from crossing the border, and forcibly disappearing those who manage to cross.

How did the survivor describe their experience of crossing into Spanish territory and then being returned to Morocco?

The survivor described being hit on the head, losing consciousness, and waking up back in Morocco with Moroccan police and colleagues around. They mentioned that if you didn't move, you were assumed dead, but if you did move, you were beaten.

What happened to the injured migrants who were transported by bus to remote locations in Morocco?

Injured migrants were taken to remote places in buses, with at least two people dying during the journey. This practice is part of a larger strategy to deter migrants and forcibly disappear them.

What was the response of the Moroccan and Spanish governments to the incident on June 24th?

Both governments conducted investigations that concluded there was no wrongdoing by authorities. Neither investigation addressed the issue of the disappeared, despite evidence suggesting enforced disappearances by the state.

How has the EU's funding contributed to the situation in Morocco regarding migration control?

The EU has directed at least 19 billion EUR to countries like Morocco for managing migration. This funding is used to prevent migrants, often violently, from reaching European territory.

What does the EU spokesperson say about the responsibility for incidents at the external borders and the EU's role?

The EU spokesperson stated that violence and loss of life at the external borders are unacceptable, and it is the responsibility of the national authorities to investigate. The EU does not admit direct responsibility for the incident but emphasizes the importance of protecting borders in line with fundamental rights.

What is the current situation for the family members of the missing and how are they coping?

Family members of the missing have been left to find their loved ones on their own, often relying on the work of human rights volunteers. They face significant challenges, including the difficulty of obtaining visas to enter Morocco and the lack of information from authorities.