A statement from the Moroccan government rejects a claim that there is a land border with Spain, noting that the border situation involves enclaves and crossing points rather than a direct border line. The government issued the clarification in a letter to the UN Human Rights Council in response to inquiries about the events at the Melilla border fence on June 24.
The letter, obtained by Europa Press, outlines Morocco’s intent to present its perspective before UN rapporteurs request further details about the June incidents. The government emphasizes that the term Spanish-Moroccan border is inaccurate and that Melilla should be viewed as an area of controlled entry rather than a defined border. The Kingdom asserts that it does not share a conventional land border with Spain and that Melilla represents a point of entry under administration rather than a border.
Following a high-profile meeting between Spain and Morocco, which included discussions with the Alaouite monarchy, a joint statement talked about reestablishing the free movement of people and goods in an orderly fashion. This includes the resumption of suitable customs procedures and human oversight at both land and sea entry points, with a gradual steps plan to normalize procedures.
reopening of customs
From Rabat’s perspective, this means the customs reopening in Melilla and the initiation of a new system in Ceuta, something Morocco had paused unilaterally in 2018 and had not yet resumed.
The Moroccan government has not strongly contradicted or confirmed every detail from the Spanish side, and statements by a senior official in Rabat regarding the geographic scope of customs later softened in tone.
On September 21, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, together with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, stated that both governments aim to implement customs procedures in January.
Albares commented after a meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly that there will be a steady and regular transit of goods through land customs throughout January. The Moroccan minister reiterated follows the April 7 declaration and said both nations would work toward an effective return to normalcy for the movement of people and goods at land and sea posts with the necessary devices ready from the start of the year in a spirit of sincere cooperation between the partners.
Morocco defends its performance in big jump
In a letter sent to the UN Human Rights Council, with Morocco set to join the council in January, Rabat condemns the unprecedented pressure from immigration and accuses Algeria of lax border control by allowing thousands to cross into Moroccan territory to seek entry.
Regarding the June 24 events, the government disputes reports that describe the action as disorganized and asserts that migrants acted in a coordinated manner and, in some cases, had undergone military training. It calls out what it says is extraordinary violence by some actors at the scene.
Concerning Moroccan security forces, the letter states that units were deployed for law enforcement only, did not use lethal firearms, and did not fire their weapons, acting with strict adherence to the principles of necessity and proportionality.
The government also notes that the official count of deaths is 23, not 37, a figure cited by a local human rights organization and echoed in a UN rapporteurs’ note. Autopsies reportedly indicate drowning as the cause of death rather than gunfire.
While denying accusations of structural racism and discriminatory treatment of people of African descent, the government says the UN rapporteurs’ focus is on wide-scale efforts to regularize migrants in an irregular situation.
Finally, the letter clarifies that Morocco bears no responsibility for the rapid return of migrants in heat but that the obligation for returns lies with Spanish authorities. The note also argues that the country is dealing with the consequences of a security management model that has reached its limits.
However, since the June 24 incidents, returns have not taken place, and Rabat opposes blanket or mass expulsions of foreigners. The position emphasizes a preference for orderly, case-by-case processing within the framework of cooperative bilateral arrangements.