Migrants who were a year ago in the tragedy at the Melilla fence, still in Morocco

Rabat (Morocco), Jun 23 (EFE) - The migrants who were a year ago in the tragedy at the fence of Melilla that cost the lives of 23 people, almost all from Sudan, are still in Morocco determined to reach Europe, with the impossibility now to return to their country because of the war and before a growing Moroccan control that pushes them to seek other routes such as Tunisia.

FOOTAGE OF SOME OF THE MIGRANTS FROM RABAT WHO WERE A YEAR AGO IN THE TRAGEDY AT THE FENCE OF MELILLA.

SOUNDBITES BY MOHAMED ADAM, 23 YEARS OLD. SUDANESE MIGRANT WHO WITNESSED THE MELILLA FENCE TRAGEDY.

- We are five people living in that room.

- Some young people (Moroccans) help us. As for the food, I ask the restaurants for it, I tell them that I have no money and I am hungry, and there are those who accept to give me food.

- What happened in June (in reference to the tragedy at the Melilla fence on June 24 last year) has frightened all the migrants and for that reason, half of the (Sudanese) migrants have left Morocco, and are still going (to Sudan and other North African countries). The event has caused deaths and injuries, and there have been wounded who have not yet received treatment. Sometimes this country (Morocco) is difficult.

- The migration routes in North Africa pass through Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. In Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria the way is by sea, and there the population helps us and it is possible to raise money and emigrate by boat, but in Morocco, there are two possibilities to emigrate: by sea or by jumping the fence (of Ceuta and Melilla) and I will keep on trying until I manage to emigrate and, of course, there will be suffering and adventures.

- I am not going to generalize, but in this country, there are some people who harass us because we are black. Being black in this country makes my life difficult. There is racism and harassment at work and in transportation.

- It is hard to find work. I once worked in agriculture for 15 days in the city of Berkane (in the east of the country) and I was only paid 75 euros and a week late.