Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, emphasized that Morocco prioritizes the protection of its citizens residing in Spain by closely monitoring any instances of racist abuses they may encounter and responding through various legal and diplomatic channels.
In a written response to a parliamentary question, Bourita explained that the ministry employs an approach based on monitoring, support, and intervention when necessary, stressing that the efforts aim to defend the dignity of Moroccans and oppose any malicious campaigns targeting them, which are often linked to political contexts rather than stemming from societal hostility.
The government official added that the Moroccan embassy in Madrid, in coordination with Moroccan consulates across various Spanish cities, directly engages with cases of assault or racial discrimination by communicating with the relevant Spanish authorities and tracking related procedures, as well as supporting victims in their legal and administrative processes.
Bourita noted that the ministry is also working to activate channels for dialogue and bilateral coordination with the Spanish side to promote preventive and punitive measures that limit manifestations of hatred and racism. He highlighted that the Moroccan diplomatic mission is keen on obtaining official data regarding these incidents and following up on the results of the related investigations.
In a related context, the minister underscored that diplomatic efforts also encompass addressing misleading information that may be circulated about the Moroccan community, reiterating its positive contributions to the Spanish economy, particularly in supporting the job market and contributing to social protection systems.
He also pointed out that Morocco relies on cultural dimensions to enhance coexistence through programs and activities organized by Moroccan cultural centers abroad, aiming to promote Moroccan culture and instill values of dialogue and openness, especially among youth.
Regarding the issue of Arabic language education and Moroccan culture, Bourita revealed that the Moroccan embassy in Madrid has engaged with a regional decision in Spain to cancel certain programs, by communicating with the relevant government entities; however, it has yet to receive any official response.
He explained that representatives of the Spanish Ministry of Education indicated that regional authorities hold the power to make such decisions, expressing regret over the program’s suspension, while Morocco continues to monitor this file within the framework of ongoing bilateral dialogue between the two countries.
