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Morocco and the European Union agreed on Friday to work intently collectively to fight human trafficking. The joint assertion got here after 23 refugees died in a rush on the border between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Melillalast month.
Spanish Inside Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, European Union Commissioner for Residence Affairs Ylva Johansson and Moroccan Inside Minister Abdelouafi Laftit met in Rabat to debate the right way to tackle what they mentioned have been “new methods” utilized by migrants and traffickers to try to attain European soil.
“Morocco is a strategic companion, a dedicated companion of the EU in relation to managing migration in an orderly means. And we stand able to deepening our cooperation… working collectively in efficient and environment friendly readmissions and returns and investing in authorized pathways collectively,” Johansson mentioned in a press release.
The brand new settlement will embody assist for border administration, strengthening police cooperation and strengthening cooperation between Moroccan and EU companies, a assertion mentioned.
Morocco accused of ‘unjustified’ drive
The tragedy in Melilla occured on the finish of June, when some 2,000 individuals hoping to hunt asylum within the European Union ran in direction of the border, triggering two hours of violent skirmishes with Moroccan border safety.
After round 100 individuals made it throughout the border, pictures emerged of dozens of badly injured and deceased refugees stacked subsequent to the fence.
Morocco has mentioned that the 23 who perished have been killed in a stampede or died attempting to mount the fence.
In response to native human rights employees, nonetheless, the demise toll rose so excessive as a result of many injured individuals lay for hours with out medical assist. They’ve additionally accused Morocco of an “unjustified” use of drive.
The United Nations and human rights NGOs have referred to as for an impartial probe into the clashes, whereas Moroccan and Spanish prosecutors opened their very own inquiries.
Shortly after the incident, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused smuggling mafias of getting organised the assault and thanked the Moroccan safety forces for his or her assist policing the border.
“It’s important that we tackle these harmful conditions and these well-organized smuggling teams collectively to save lots of lives and to handle migration in an orderly means,” Johansson mentioned.
es/jcg (AFP, Reuters)
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