Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sànchez has defended the Moroccan and Spanish police brutality against African migrants in Melila last Sunday.
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The Spanish leader blamed international Mafia groups involved in human trafficking for the death of at least 100 African migrants on the borders of the North African country and Spain.
Moroccan and Spanish police were captured on video trying to prevent African migrants from crossing into neighboring Spain at Melilla resulting loss of several lives and countless injuries.
Speaking at his Madrid residence and office palace, Prime Minister Pedro described the incident as “an attack” on Spanish border.
Pedro Sànchez blamed the unfortunate tragedy on trafficking gangs.
” I insist, these are work of international Mafia groups that are not only damaging the territorial integrity of Spain but also that of Morocco.
Prime minister Pedro justified the Moroccan security actions on grounds that that country has been a victim as illegal migration route to Europe.
Human rights groups have attributed Spain’s Prime Minister’s refusal to chastise the inhumane treatment on the migrants to diplomatic advantages.
According to international observers, Pedro Sànchez is trying to repair broken relations with Morocco following the dispute over Western Sahara.
Though Pedro Sànchez said he regrets the death toll and wish it could have been prevented yet insisted that security forces of the two countries repressed a possible attack on the country’s borders.
” I regret the death of people. Of course, a very special remembrance to the families of the deceased. But must also recognize the work being done by the Moroccan state security forces and corps in Spain, which repressed an attack. I insist, an attack on our country’s border”, Prime Minister Pedro emphasized.
Spanish guards are captured in a video chasing African migrants back to the Moroccan enclave in Melilla.
Human rights activists say such treatment denies refugees the right to apply for asylum.
Non-profit organizations working in Northern Africa and human rights groups have since condemned the barbaric treatment against migrants by police on both sides.
