Refugees in Morocco

Migrant Integration is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, my name is Cynthia Magallanes Gonzalez, and I am a Ph.D. student in Sociology at the University of Michigan (these views do not reflect the institution I work for). In 2016, when I studied abroad in Rabat as an undergraduate student at Occidental College, I began studying migration governance and Europe's externalization of its borders on the African continent (especially in Morocco). Since then, I have been able to return to Morocco through grants, fellowships, and scholarships to continue research and community engagement.

On June 24, 2022, around 2,000 refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa (mostly refugees from Sudan) tried to climb the fence of the Melilla (Spanish enclave) from Nador (Morocco) (the only European border on the African continent). The Moroccan and Spanish border guards responded violently by beating migrants with batons, stones, bars, and gas. NGOs estimate that around 39 people died. Around 133 migrants and asylum seekers stayed in Melilla, and about 64 were held for trial in Morocco (charged with using force against authorities). The rest (around 1,300) were taken on buses to cities further away from Melilla, such as Erkachidia, Agadir, Beni Melal, Casablanca, Oujda, Safi, Juribga, Fkih Ben Saleh, and Tarudant. They are usually dropped off in remote areas. Many have reported that their phones, UNHCR papers, and other personal items were taken from them by authorities. Many have also stated that they were denied medical care in public hospitals by authorities. Civil society in the north has even taken photos of graves built by authorities, implying that they will bury the corpses of those they massacred without informing their families.

Action by both countries violates national and international laws and agreements. Several international human rights organizations and the African Union have called for an investigation into the events.

Since the event, I have been in contact with migrants and others following the story. There are many cases of survivors who are still homeless and lacking medical attention. A few minutes ago, I spoke to a survivor who was seriously injured in the nose and another who lost six teeth. Both of them are sleeping outside tonight.

All aid will be used to provide immediate assistance (i.e. housing, medical care, food) to survivors I am in contact with. I will provide receipts once the aid is distributed.

I know this is A LOT to ask for right now, but I cannot live with myself knowing that I did not try. My heart has been hurting a lot these last few days.

Please share, donate, send to your local communities etc. I know the issue has received much international attention (even Maluma has posted about it on social media), so I hope we can come together and raise as much as possible.

Listen to Abdo, a survivor’s testimony (pseudonym). https://youtu.be/A0vxS_OalJ4 and https://youtube.com/shorts/olVEtLw9tYs?feature=share