Moroccan rights group blames Rabat and Madrid as Ceuta death toll hit 141

A Moroccan human rights group says at least 141 people have died trying to reach Spain's Ceuta enclave, accusing Morocco and Spain of prioritising border security over human lives. The NGO is calling for an independent investigation and safer migration pathways.

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) says at least 141 people have died during the recent migration crisis in Ceuta, a figure significantly higher than previous estimates released by Moroccan and Spanish authorities.

The organisation said its tally is based on official data, media reports and information gathered by human rights groups. It added that the number of missing people remains unknown.

Shared responsibility

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, AMDH blamed both Morocco and Spain for the tragedy, arguing that migration has been treated primarily as a security issue rather than a humanitarian one.

The organisation said the mass attempt by tens of thousands of Moroccans to reach the Spanish enclave reflects growing despair driven by economic hardship, declining purchasing power and deteriorating public services.

AMDH also criticised the European Union's policy of outsourcing border control, saying it has failed to address the root causes of migration.

Calls for action

The rights group renewed its demand for an independent and transparent investigation into the deaths and urged the European Union to expand safe, legal and dignified migration routes.

It also called for stronger protection of unaccompanied minors still in Ceuta, where official figures indicate more than 1,000 children remain in the enclave following the migration surge.