SG/SM/10147
AFR/1266
10 October 2005
Secretary-General Expresses Deep Concern at Situation of Refugees Trying to Cross from Morocco into Spain
NEW YORK, 7 October (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the very serious situation of migrants trying to cross from Morocco into Spain through the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, six of whom were reported killed yesterday in the latest of several violent incidents.
While acknowledging the legitimate need for concerned Governments to enforce immigration laws and obligations, the Secretary-General urges them to do so humanely.
The Secretary-General believes these regrettable events in this one region of the world point to a wider problem in dealing with the inevitable and necessary flow of people across borders. He urges Governments to find ways of working together to manage migration more effectively.
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