Following the death of at least 37 people seeking international protection at the Spain-Morocco border on 24 June, the Left called for an urgent debate at the July plenary of the European Parliament. 

European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson attended on behalf of the Commission and, as is often the case for debates concerning human rights of migrants, the Council was not present. 

During the debate Left MEPs Sira Rego (Izquierda Unida, Spain), Miguel Urban Crespo (Anticapitalistas, Spain) and Pernando Barena (EH Bildu, Basque Country) called for a thorough and independent investigation of the facts and demanded accountability at all levels. 

Pedir asilo en la frontera sur de la UE es imposible. No hay ningún punto donde hacerlo. Sus políticas migratorias son racistas y dependen de acuerdos vergonzosos con países como Marruecos.

El resultado: la masacre de #Melilla. pic.twitter.com/oTHkaElIDr

— Sira Rego 🔻 (@sirarego) July 4, 2022

Left MEPs called out racist migration policies and the emergence of a two-tier system for the treatment of refugees. The EU’s welcome to Ukrainian refugees shows the art of the possible – those fleeing war can be received and integrated into European society. 

📹Acabo de exigir la dimisión de Marlaska en el pleno del Parlamento Europeo por los asesinatos de Melilla. No es una tragedia: es una masacre que tiene culpables y responsables. La externalización de fronteras de la Europa Fortaleza es criminal. Ningún ser humano es ilegal 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/LYSZthBGWM

— Miguel Urbán Crespo (@MiguelUrban) July 4, 2022

The same should apply to the EU’s southern borders. African lives are no less important than European lives. 

Instead, refugees trying to reach safety are confronted with walls, fences and violence to prevent people from reaching the EU. There is not a single point along the border with Morocco where people can ask for asylum. . 

España ha subcontratado el control de la entrada sur de la UE a Marruecos, con el resultado de 37 muertos hace dos semanas.

La UE es responsable de estas atrocidades. Recurre las sentencias del TJUE que no reconocen otra soberanía que la saharaui sobre el Sahara Occidental. pic.twitter.com/hU8PzFhg4t

— Pernando Barrena🔻 (@pernandobarrena) July 4, 2022

The blatant disregard for human life at the EU’s external borders must end. Seeking asylum is a fundamental right. The EU’s migration policy must be based on reception, human rights and guaranteeing safe and legal routes to the EU, to ensure that these incidents never happen again.

To watch the debate in full, see here. 

Image: No Border Network