Podemos Demands EU Probe into Deadly Melilla Border Incident, Criticizes Morocco

The Melilla drama is the consequence of migration agreements with governments that "systematically violate human rights," Podemos said, thus alluding to the agreements signed between Spain and Morocco. According to the Spanish party, violating and bartering international law, particularly the rights of the Sahrawi people, and trusting governments that systematically violate human rights have consequences. Last March, Madrid changed its position on the Sahara, a move expected for months by the Moroccan authorities but viewed negatively in Algeria and also in Spain.

"We have been defending it from the beginning: respect for international law is and must be non-negotiable," he stressed, noting that the assault on Melilla "is not a coincidence", as the incident occurs just days before the NATO summit scheduled for Madrid, where the southern border and the increase in military spending will be on the agenda for discussion. "The use of human rights and people cannot be allowed either as a bargaining chip or as a measure of pressure and coercion," denounced the radical left-wing formation.

Based on these findings, Podemos demands a foreign, migration and cooperation policy "not linked to the externalization of borders", because "there must be legal and safe routes; firmness in the defense of human rights; the determined fight against corruption and the equitable development on both