Moroccans in France call for 'immediate action' to stop racist acts against Maghrebans in Corsica

The National Council of Moroccans in France (CNMF) has urged French authorities to "act immediately" to put an end to racist acts targeting the Maghreban community in Corsica, notably Moroccans.

This call was made after a man of Moroccan origin was shot dead Friday by two individuals, and the car belonging to a Moroccan national was blown up in Bastia. The two incidents occurred following a series of attacks against the interests of the Moroccan and Maghreban community in the French Island.

The newly-created CNMF interpellated in a release French authorities about "these racist acts (É) against the (Maghreban) population," saying they add up to the threats, discriminatory attitudes, violent acts and insults" against Maghrebans in Corsica.

The release calls for "rigorous" implementation of the laws in force in France to tackle this situation.

The prefect of Corsica, Pierre-René Lemas, said Friday hunting down the authors of racist acts is a "priority" for the police, saying he received "strong instructions" on this question by Interior Minister, Dominique de Villepin.

In the first half of 2004, over 30 violent acts targeted Maghrebans in Corsica - mostly attacks by explosives against property- while 95 similar acts were reported in all France, according to the interior ministry.

Recently, Morocco expressed concern to Corsican authorities over the rise of violence against the Moroccan community's interests in the island. It also urged them to take the necessary measures to guarantee the security of Moroccans and protect their interests.