Spanish political parties, NGOs hold anti-racist rally after events against Moroccans
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/23/1999

A group of Spanish non-governmental organizations in Terrassa, suburbs of the Spanish northern city of Barcelona, will hold on Tuesday an anti-racism rally after last week's xenophobe events against Moroccans in which a Moroccan 26-year-old man was injured.

To restore conviviality that prevailed in the region before the flare-up of violence acts against Moroccan residents by neo-nazis and skinheads, political parties, trade unions, associations, have decided to stage a march in the city.

The xenophobe attacks erupted last week in this Spanish town of 11,000 inhabitants, including 2,000 Moroccans, following a quarrel between Moroccan and Spanish youngsters. Angry racist Spaniards afterwards attacked and looted shops held by Moroccans and other Arab residents and even damaged a mosque.

The events were denounced by Spanish official circles, political parties and associations of expatriates alike. A manifesto released by Spanish political parties, NGOs and associations of residents, which "vehemently condemned any racist or xenophobe action" and "any attitude that is contrary to the fundamental principles of the rule of the law and equality as consecrated by the Constitution," called Spanish authorities to take the necessary measures to avert such events and to condemn the authors of violent and discriminatory actions.

Last Friday, more than one thousand persons rallied 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.

Morocco officially expressed on Monday "worries over the unfortunate events" while communication minister, Larbi Messari, described as "strange and surprising" the incidents 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 pre-conceived ideas laden with historical complexes vis-a-vis Moroccans.

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

The spokesman of the Spanish government called for calm to avoid similar events and warned that the government will not pardon 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.

In Morocco, dailies of various trends denounced in their front pages "the plague" sweeping across Spain pointing out that the evil is too deep and xenophobia seemed to have climaxed as even mosques, Muslims' worship shrines, have been targeted by the attacks.

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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