evidence: "Non-Iberian Spain" and "Plaza de Soberanía" are two of the terms used to describe Melilla, a small city near the Moroccan city of Nador—that is technically in Spain. Unlike other parts of Morocco that were colonized by Spain in the 19th and 20th centuries, Melilla has been officially "Spanish" since 1497, in the days of Ferdinand and Isabella. As such, Melilla is referred to as a "place of sovereignty" by the Spanish government. By the Moroccan government, it is considered occupied territory. [...] Melilla’s status is hardly without controversy, even after 500 years of Spanish rule. Today many immigrants and refugees make their way to Melilla hoping to access mainland Europe. Since at least the 1990s (when European Union membership required Spain to improve their border controls) there have been reports of inhuman treatment, from authorities on both sides of the border, towards those attempting to cross into Melilla.