Zawaya

Morocco and the rise of racism against sub-Saharan immigrants!

By: Rachid Jankari

Is this a heavy trend or a passing phenomenon? Incidents of racism against sub-Saharan migrants are continuously increasing in Morocco. These violations of human rights spark a wave of indignation within civil society and among a large proportion of the Moroccan population.

This worrying phenomenon has certainly resulted from migration inflows coming from neighboring African countries, mainly sub-Saharan ones. Morocco has become an unavoidable transition point to head towards Europe. Hence, the growing number of potential immigrants who extend their stay in Morocco, illegally sometimes while waiting for opportunities to cross to the other side of the Mediterranean in the pateras of death, or clandestinely through the cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

It is premature to speak about a strong trend of racism. Nevertheless, given the increasing numbers of incidents especially in large Moroccan cities such as Rabat, Casablanca and Oujda, one cannot overlook the rising compassion and rejection towards these growing migration inflows.

Worse still, Morocco has adopted a public policy of systematic security measures towards migration inflows, by recently adopting law 02-03 related to foreigners’ entry to and stay in Morocco, as well as irregular emigration and immigration.

Despite this worrying situation, some of the sub-Saharan immigrants come legally to Morocco to continue their higher education in various schools and faculties. This transitional passage has led some of these graduates to extend their stays in the country, and start working mostly in international positions, such as finance, journalism, communication, and information technologies.

This integration into the labor market is not always evident given the draconian conditions set by the Ministry of Labor and the Employment Agency (ANAPEC) for the issuance of work permits for foreigners, especially those coming from sub-Saharan countries. Worse yet, obtaining and annually renewing a National Identity Card (CIN) by foreigners require a very complicated process.

Today, the challenge for the Moroccan government and public opinion is to be able to make the difference between two different phenomena: illegal immigration on the one hand, and immigration of young people to pursue their higher education or legally work in the country on the other hand.

The challenge of respecting human rights is not specific to Morocco. Maghreb immigrants are also victims of the rise of xenophobia and the extreme right in Europe especially in the current international context marked by the heaviness and consequences of the global crisis.