Moroccan government very worried by racist wave in Spain
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/20/1999

Morocco expressed on Monday "worries over the unfortunate events" that targeted last week the Moroccan community living in the Spanish town of Terrassa (Barcelona suburbs), MAP reported.

A spokesman for the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said the government is following with keen interest and deep worry the evolution of the situation of the Moroccan community in Barcelona.

Last week, following a quarrel between Moroccan and Spanish youngsters, angry racist Spaniards attacked and looted shops held by Moroccans and other Arab residents. A 26-year old Moroccan was stabbed by one of the demonstrators and taken to hospital.

The spokesman added that immediately after the wave of xenophobe violence broke out last week, the Moroccan embassy in Spain and the consulate in Barcelona undertook contacts with the Spanish authorities to denounce these acts of aggression and ask for a firm action to secure the safety of Moroccan nationals living in this region.

After he praised the immediate response of Spanish authorities, who denounced these acts, and the numerous testimonies of sympathy by the Spanish non-governmental organizations, the spokesman renewed Morocco's constant concern to protect the interests of Moroccan expatriates and secure for them the best living conditions.

Also reacting to the events was Moroccan communication minister, Larbi Messari, who described the incidents as "strange and surprising" and called for handling the problem in an objective manner that takes into account the historical, economic and psychological dimensions as well as other factors that influence relations between Moroccan and Spanish citizens.

For Messari, the problem facing Moroccans settled in Spain is mainly due to the fact that a majority of Spanish have negative preconceived ideas laden with historical complexes vis-a-vis Moroccans.

Rejections of these shameful attitudes was also expressed by Spanish home minister, Jaime Mayor Oreja, who called all the Spanish to "condemn" the racist acts.

In protest against the wave of anti-Arab racist acts that hit the city, more than one thousand persons representing non-governmental organizations, trade unions and political parties rallied last Friday night in the main square of Terrassa to claim the protection of the rights of aliens.

"We are all neighbors, residents and immigrants," read a large streamer.

The spokesman of the Spanish government, called for calm to avoid similar events and warned that the government will not pardon the instigators of such actions. He argued that the Spanish society should show solidarity and should not forget that some decades ago it, itself, was sending emigrants abroad in search of a living.

Another Spanish local official said the persons arrested in connection with the incidents will be brought to court for charges of discrimination, hatred and racist violence.

Under the Spanish law, persons found guilty of racist acts face prison sentences ranging between one to three years.

Previous Stories:
  Spanish government, public opinion and civil society castigate anti-Moroccan racist wave   (7/19/1999)
  Moroccan warning of racism in Spain   (7/17/1999)

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