Marrakech – The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), through its Nador section, has vocally condemned the actions of what it refers to as racist far-right gangs that are conducting an open campaign against migrants and asylum seekers in Ceuta, a city occupied by Spain. The AMDH has reported a disturbing pattern of violence, including chases and blockades aimed at humanitarian aid efforts, all occurring amidst what they describe as the alarming silence and complicity of local authorities in Ceuta. The situation has escalated to a critical level, with these gangs reportedly targeting activists who provide essential relief to migrants and document the human rights violations occurring against them.
The AMDH has raised serious concerns regarding direct threats aimed at these humanitarian activists, including the publication of their photographs, a tactic designed to intimidate and force them out of their efforts to assist migrants. This chilling atmosphere has reportedly been exacerbated by calls from these racist groups for their members across Spain and Europe to converge on Ceuta, aiming to fully execute their violent agenda against both migrants and any anti-racist activists. Such developments have created a precarious situation that the AMDH deems requires immediate intervention, emphasizing that rather than fulfilling their protective duties, local authorities frequently turn a blind eye and, at times, actively intervene against the very activists striving to help the marginalized.
The backdrop to this troubling narrative is the significant influx of migrants into Ceuta, which peaked dramatically on July 30 and 31, when over 72,000 individuals crossed the border from Morocco, with many attempting perilous swims around the border fence; tragically, at least 100 lives were lost during this crossing. While the majority of migrants returned shortly after, thousands remain in dire conditions, including many unaccompanied minors, who are now sleeping on the streets and beaches of Ceuta.
The violence and vigilantism have intensified, particularly as evidenced on Wednesday night when local residents, waving Spanish flags, marched through Ceuta, demanding the expulsion of migrants and obstructing Red Cross vehicles that were attempting to deliver food. The situation escalated further, leading to the deployment of police who used tear gas to separate the crowds, and demonstrators even went so far as to set fire to the belongings of migrants. The subsequent events on Thursday saw locals blocking aid trucks, chanting inflammatory slogans, and continuing to pursue and intimidate migrants in the streets. A member of Congress from the far-right party Vox, José María Figaredo, is now under investigation for allegedly inciting hate crimes with his rhetoric calling for the hunting down of migrants.
This climate of intimidation has prompted humanitarian organizations to scale back their operations. Chadi Boukhari, a coordinator with Border Resistance, expressed the dire situation faced by aid workers, stating, "We can no longer work." His sentiment encapsulates the pervasive fear among those trying to assist, as the threats from extremist groups have proven overwhelming compared to any resistance they could muster against state authorities or military forces. Reports from Amnesty International corroborate the increasing hostility faced by aid organizations, noting that distribution of food and water has been obstructed amidst rising threats.
Moreover, the violence has manifested in the digital realm, with a staggering 9,590 hate messages generated on social media platforms in Spain within just two days following the mass crossings, as reported by the Observatory of Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE). This figure reflects a broader trend of hate speech, which has surged significantly in recent months, with North Africans being the primary targets. A significant portion of these messages dehumanizes migrants and frames them as threats, with a notable percentage inciting violence or expulsion.
This rising tide of xenophobia is not a mere spontaneous reaction but rather the outcome of a calculated ideological campaign. The far-right in Spain has exploited fears related to immigration, framing it within a historical context that likens current migrants to a returning Moorish invasion, effectively weaponizing these narratives for political gain. This manipulation of social anxieties into votes has transformed North Africans into perpetual suspects within this rhetoric.
Notably, this scapegoating extends beyond migrants to include the Muslim residents of Ceuta. Editorials have highlighted a systematic violence against migrant minors and a growing thirst for mob justice, revealing a coordinated effort that distinguishes itself from isolated incidents of conflict. The far-right party Vox has been accused of fabricating the narrative of an invasion, while other political parties have contributed to legitimizing these sentiments, all framed within a broader context of global far-right movements.
This ongoing crisis has also reignited discussions about the status of Ceuta and Melilla, with Morocco asserting its historical claims over these territories, a stance firmly rejected by Spanish authorities. The implications of this geopolitical dispute are profound, as articulated by Algerian-French novelist Boualem Sansal, who critiques the irony of a Europe that once denied Morocco entry into its community due to geographic considerations now asserting that cities like Ceuta and Melilla represent Europe’s frontier in Africa. This paradox raises critical questions about the future of European borders and their implications for relationships with neighboring countries.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
