About 23 African migrants were killed while trying to cross from Morocco to Spain via the Spanish island of Melilla, according to the African Bar Association (AfBA).
Hannibal Uwaifo, the president of AfBA, called the murder a crime against humanity in a statement he made on Thursday in Lagos.
Director of Strategic Communication for AfBA, Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa, signed the statement.
Uwaifo demanded that those responsible for the deaths face harsh punishment.
He urged the European Union and African stakeholders to address the issue quickly and effectively.
Around 2,000 people allegedly attempted to cross into Spain by scaling the border gates encircling Melilla, and that is when the migrants are said to have perished.
Uwaifo said: “The African Bar Association condemns the unprovoked killing of dozens of African migrants while trying to make their way to Spain through the Morocco-Spain land border, and we term this action a crime against humanity.
“The AfBA restates that migrants, even if irregular, are entitled to be protected by International Humanitarian Law.
“The AfBA shall submit a formal petition against the Prime Minister of Morocco to the International Criminal Court, the United Nations High Commission for Human
Rights, and other requisite multilateral institutions.”
Uwaifo called for justice in the matter.
NAN