Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, emphasized that safeguarding the rights of Moroccans abroad is not merely an administrative obligation but a constitutional duty, enshrined in Article 16 of the Moroccan Constitution, which guarantees the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of citizens residing outside the kingdom. Within this framework, the ministry, under royal guidance, places defending this community at the core of its strategy and policies, adopting an integrated approach that combines protection, support, and direct assistance.
In a recent written response regarding the protection of Moroccans in Spain from racist attacks, Bourita stressed that the Moroccan embassy in Madrid coordinates closely with all consular centers to ensure a rapid and effective response to every incident of violence or discrimination. This response goes beyond filing complaints to include victim follow-up, legal support, and ongoing communication with local authorities to safeguard their rights and dignity while activating bilateral consultation mechanisms when necessary.
The minister clarified that the embassy maintains direct contact with Spanish officials at both ministerial and regional levels to obtain accurate and updated information on each racist incident and monitor measures taken to prevent recurrence. The embassy also works to refute misinformation about Moroccans, often related to isolated events or other nationalities, while highlighting Moroccans’ vital economic role in Spain in employment and social security contributions.
The efforts extend beyond administrative and legal measures, encompassing a cultural dimension. Moroccan cultural centers abroad, such as the Three Cultures Foundation in Seville, aim to build knowledge and civic bridges between Moroccan youth and their foreign peers through events, cultural days, and exhibitions that promote dialogue, respect, and tolerance, actively countering racist discourse.
Bourita pointed out that these racist practices, which sometimes affect Moroccans, often stem from misinformation and a lack of openness to coexistence values, and are sometimes exploited by far-right political campaigns targeting Moroccan citizens. Nevertheless, he stressed that isolated incidents in Spain do not reflect a general hostile climate, as institutional and social reactions have consistently rejected and condemned such acts from the outset.
Regarding education, Bourita highlighted the withdrawal of Madrid and Murcia authorities from the Arabic language and Moroccan culture program, prompting the embassy to engage the Spanish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education to seek explanations and request the reversal of the decision, without receiving a response to date. He also noted Morocco’s participation in the 16th meeting of the joint committee overseeing the program, during which Spanish educational authorities confirmed their power to decide the program’s continuation or cancellation.
In conclusion, Bourita emphasized that the ministry remains fully mobilized to support Moroccans abroad, deploying all available resources to defend them and counter any malicious campaigns, often driven by political agendas rather than genuine societal hostility.
