Spain likely to expel Moroccan illegal immigrants
Morocco-Spain, Local, 6/9/2004

The delegation of the Spanish local government in Catalonia has launched an eviction procedure against 25 illegal immigrants, including Moroccans, official sources said.

The immigrants were arrested last weekend after the intervention of security forces to clear out the cathedral of Barcelona (east) from 500 immigrants who shut themselves up there to call for a "process of exceptional regularisation" of illegal immigrants.

The Moroccan consul in Barcelona, Bouchaib Khalfi, contacted by MAP, said Moroccan nationals are among the persons that are likely to be expelled.

The Moroccan consulate in Barcelona, he said, is in contact with the concerned authorities to be informed about the situation of Moroccan illegal immigrants arrested in this operation.

Following a march organized Saturday in Barcelona, a thousand of immigrants entered the cathdral of the city to pressure the government and make it accept their claims.

Half of them left the cathedral voluntarily. The other half, however, decided to remain there, which pushed security forces to remove them by force.

The Association of Workers and Moroccan immigrants in Spain (ATIME) has called for the creation of an investigating commission within the regional parliament to shed light on this incident.

ATIME urged, in a release, the Spanish government to regularize the situation of "thousands of illegal immigrants who are living in an inhuman condition" and who could, according to the association, actively contribute to the economic and social development of the country.

Illegal immigration was among the main issues discussed during the visit of Spanish prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, to Morocco last April.

Previous Stories:
  Spain frees Moroccan suspected in Madrid blasts   (4/22/2004)
  Courts acquits journalists sued for slandering Spanish colleague   (4/21/2004)
  Morocco to reinforce legal protection of its expatriates, minister   (4/16/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search