DIDH Denounces ‘Lack of Objectivity and Impartiality’ in Amnesty International Report on Incidents Occurred at Crossing Point between Nador, Melilia

« We note once again that the NGO Amnesty International continues its hostile campaign against Morocco through its report published on December 13 about the events that occurred on June 24 in front of the crossing point between Nador and Melilia. A biased report that is not supported by evidence and that blatantly lacks objectivity and impartiality, principles that should be de rigueur in the work of non-governmental organizations active in the field of human rights, » noted the DIDH in a statement received by MAP, expressing surprise at the fact that this NGO relies exclusively in its report on three sources represented by three associations, namely an association known for its radical political positions that do not favor its impartiality and honesty, a second association known for its hostility to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, in addition to the fact that it has no connection with the subject and location of the events and a third association that has not even investigated the said incidents.

In support of this finding, it is clear that the source of AI is unreliable, stressed the DIDH before listing the many weaknesses of its report and negating the allegations and biased interpretations and erroneous conclusions contained in the document.

The first weakness of the report lies, according to the same source, in the fact that this NGO has passed over in a dubious way all the information provided in the response of public authorities on the said incidents published last September 12, in reactivity with the special procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in addition to the fact that the NGO had made only a five-day visit to Melilia without succeeding in finding evidence to support its allegations, which led it to turn to other parties, namely the sources mentioned above, which are known for their bias.

The DIDH added that this NGO has also attempted to inflate the number of victims without any credible documentation, in addition to its allegations of having had interviews with those it presents as victims, getting bogged down in contradictions about the exact number of people it met and providing incomplete information about them.

The DIDH underlined that the report loses credibility when the NGO refers to the register of deaths, as it is unable to put a precise and formal figure on the number of fatalities due to the lack of a field survey. And the weaknesses of the report are multiplied when, as the same source pointed out, this NGO refers to what it calls the victims of enforced disappearance, allegations that are contrary to what is agreed on the subject at the international level, not citing any supposed case or elements that could contribute to discovering the cases mentioned.

The DIDH added that the NGO Amnesty International has questioned the report of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) dated July 13, without any basis and in a manner that raises astonishment and concern, knowing that this national institution had dispatched an investigative committee that visited the hospital and the morgue while holding a series of meetings with representatives of public authorities in Nador as well as a visit to the place and the neighborhood of the incidents, and this, in order to collect data and gather facts and information about this incident.

The DIDH expressed its deep regret that Amnesty International, which has long prided itself on its objectivity, is content, in this case, with information devoid of credibility and testimony gathered from a single party and not based on any evidence that could confirm the alleged violations.

It added that « this NGO did not respect the principle of impartiality in its treatment of data provided by the Moroccan authorities on the duty of the forces of order to face an assault of unprecedented violence carried out by about 2,000 would-be immigrants equipped with white weapons, stones and clubs and organized as militias and who were particularly violent by wanting to enter Melilia at all costs via Barrio Chino, a very narrow crossing point, thus contravening international rules on respect for the national security of countries.

The DIDH specified, in this regard, that « all arrests made are motivated by the commission of acts reprehensible by law ».

It recalled, in this regard, that this assault has resulted in 23 deaths among the would-be immigrants, in addition to injuries among illegal migrants and also the forces of order, as was provided by the public authorities in their response to the joint statement of the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. A response to which Amnesty International remained indifferent, as well as the case of an investigation initiated by the judicial authorities still underway, as noted by the same source.

The DIDH also recalled that the public authorities had indicated that the forces of law and order did not resort to firing bullets, contenting themselves with repelling the assailants with the legal means at their disposal and this, despite their proven dangerousness, adding that the results of the investigation showed that the deaths recorded were caused by mechanical asphyxiation from suffocation caused by the jostling as had been confirmed by the investigation committee of the CNDH. And here again, Amnesty International is distinguished by its tendency to sow doubt, deplored the same source.

The DIDH emphasized that the security forces were careful in their handling of these incidents to use proportional force in accordance with the law and the requirements of maintaining public order and the protection of human rights, indicating that the public authorities fully assumed their responsibilities in terms of forensic examinations, which formally attributed the deaths to mechanical asphyxia due to suffocation caused by the shoving.

But Amnesty International, in its unprofessional report, did not pay the slightest attention to the important legal procedure ordering the autopsies, let alone the report of the CNDH Investigation Committee, which concluded that « the recorded deaths were caused by mechanical asphyxiation due to suffocation caused by the jostling and gathering of a large number of victims in a hermetically sealed space, with the movement of a panicked crowd”.

The same source underlined that the public authorities have continued to assume their responsibilities within the framework of the law and the Kingdom’s commitments in the field of human rights, making efforts in the identification of victims through DNA analysis and fingerprints taken from the bodies and this, in close coordination with the relevant authorities at the national level and internationally with Interpol for the North Africa-Middle East and Africa regions.

The authorities have also provided appropriate medical assistance and at the right time for those injured by the attackers and the police, 140 in total, twice the number of injured among illegal migrants, recalled the same source, before observing that Amnesty International has once again remained indifferent to this humanitarian assistance, ignoring the international standards governing a professional, honest and objective investigation in the field of human rights.

Similarly, the DIDH reported that the public authorities have provided facilities to diplomats accredited in Rabat to access the morgue in order to assist in the identification of the victims, while providing them with information and documents to access prisons to inquire about the condition of the illegal migrants arrested and also access to the hospital to visit the wounded following the assault.

Consequently, the DIDH concluded by stressing that it can only deny the allegations of Amnesty International on the forced repatriation and return of migrants, given that no migrant has been returned after the said incidents, stressing that the Kingdom of Morocco is respectful of the principle of non-refoulement, favoring on the other hand other alternatives such as voluntary repatriation or integration into Moroccan society, in addition to the regularization of the situation of thousands of illegal migrants and asylum seekers.

Finally, the DIDH would like to specify that this approach is in line with the Kingdom’s respect for its international commitments in the field of protection of migrants and asylum seekers, on the one hand, and is part of the fight against human trafficking networks and migrant smuggling, on the other hand.

The DIDH deplored the fact that Amnesty International neglects to mention in its report the major role played by Morocco in the management of the migration issue and the question of asylum seekers, as well as the efforts made by the Kingdom in favor of the integration of migrants in all areas, which are internationally acclaimed.

In conclusion, the Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights rejects in form and substance the report of Amesty International.