Madar (Rabat) - About 20 Moroccan civil-society and human rights organisations, together with more than 50 political, rights, media and cultural figures, have condemned Spanish King Felipe VI's visit to Ceuta and Melilla on October 13 and 14, in a joint statement carried by Moroccan media on Monday, October 19, 2026.
According to the text published by Hespress, the signatories described the visit as a "deliberate political provocation against the Moroccan people" and reaffirmed Morocco's claim to the two Spanish-administered cities. They urged the Moroccan state to "adopt a clear national strategy" to defend its rights "through peaceful political, diplomatic and legal means".
The statement also called on democratic and rights groups in Spain and Europe to "engage in responsible dialogue to end this historic dispute, in the interest of justice, peace and coexistence between the two peoples".
Signatories include the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, the Moroccan League for the Defence of Human Rights, the Moroccan Coalition of Human Rights Organisations and Transparency Maroc, as well as former bar presidents Abderrahmane Benamrou and Abderrahim Jamai, activist Khadija Ryadi and former minister Mustapha Ramid, the outlet said.
The Left Alliance, which is represented in the House of Representatives, had also criticised the visit. The Moroccan and Spanish governments have not commented on the statement.
