Morocco Urges Spain for Comprehensive Repatriation Agreement
The Moroccan Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, has made a significant appeal to Spain, requesting the repatriation of both surviving migrants and the remains of those who drowned while attempting to cross the Tarajal passage into the autonomous city of Ceuta on July 30. In an interview with the Arabic news channel Al Arabiya, Ouahbi emphasized the necessity of signing a comprehensive agreement that addresses the plight of both the living and deceased migrants, advocating for a more holistic approach to migration between the two nations.
Ouahbi stated, "We have requested the bodies. They have not been provided to us, so we continue to discuss the matter of the bodies." He further noted that, to date, Spain has not communicated the number of migrants who have lost their lives during this tragic incident. "We do not have medical histories, nor do we have access to identifying these bodies. Bodies cannot be handed over without knowing who these individuals are," he explained, highlighting the challenges faced in the identification process.
In his remarks, Ouahbi advocated for a cooperative agreement that encompasses all migrants, regardless of whether they are alive or deceased. He questioned the rationale behind the distinction, stating, "We do not differentiate between the dead and the living. We want them all. Why this division? It is illogical to ask us to only accept the deceased." He further stressed Morocco's willingness to provide transportation for those wishing to return home, asserting, "We are prepared to send buses for their return to Morocco."
Moreover, the Minister underscored the challenges his country faces in effectively curbing migration to Spain, especially as long as Spain continues to accept migrants through campaigns that encourage young people to undertake the perilous journey. Recently, a total of 18 immigrants were buried in the Muslim cemetery of Ceuta, three weeks after a border crisis resulted in numerous fatalities and the influx of over 72,000 individuals into the autonomous city from Morocco. The graves were marked with numbers to facilitate the identification of remains should families seek to reclaim them in the future.
Authorities are still working diligently to identify the victims, a process that is progressing slowly. These deceased individuals are part of the 82 victims discovered by Spain following the mass arrival of migrants that occurred at the end of July in Ceuta.
As reported by telemadrid.es.
