Melilla

Melilla is Spanish territory in Northern Africa, bordered by Morocco. It has a long history of coexistence between communities of different faiths which is celebrated in its branding as the “City of Four Cultures”. This is reflected in its architecture, public spaces, and faith organisations. At the same time, it is visibly marked by a history of militarism and colonisation and is governed today as an autonomous city, which is also a military base.

Melilla lies next to the town of Beni Ansar, through which the only functioning checkpoint into the city now passes. The city is surrounded by multiple fences and trenches, constructed by both Morocco and Spain to deter migration. The fences are visible throughout the perimeter of the city. The increasing fortification of the fences has been ongoing for the last two decades. Scaling the fences has similarly taken place through this time. The hills of Mount Gurugu opposite Melilla in Morocco have hosted migrants and refugees in makeshift camps. In recent years, Moroccan authorities have destroyed these informal settlements as part of active attempts to deter migration into Melilla.

Melilla hosts a CETI, a reception centre of irregular migrants and a centre for unaccompanied minors. Melilla has been the site of deadly attacks against crossing migrants. Most recently, at least 23 people died in a mass crossing crossing attempt in 2022. Human rights violations at the Melilla border during a collective expulsion in 2014 were at the centre of a controversial European Court of Human Rights decision in 2020, which decided that the Spanish authorities’ conduct had been justified.