Belgian Lawmakers Urge Repatriation of Dual Citizens Stranded in Morocco

"Minister Philippe Goffin informed us that Morocco was not allowing the departure of our fellow citizens who also hold Moroccan nationality. We cannot accept this situation as a fatality," thundered Ecolo federal deputy Samuel Cogolati. For him, Belgium must consider these citizens for what they are: Belgian citizens in their own right, just like the thousands of Belgians who have already been repatriated, particularly from Morocco.

"We know that Morocco has decided to close its airspace. But we also know that on Wednesday, March 25, Air Canada managed to repatriate several Canadian citizens stranded in Morocco. So it is not a fatality," commented Rajae Maouane, Ecolo co-chair.

Based on this, he made an appeal to the federal government. "We therefore call on the federal government to do what is in its power, possibly in cooperation with other European states, so that all Belgians blocked abroad, in Morocco as elsewhere, can be repatriated, regardless of whether they have a second nationality or not."

"If these people are blocked, it would be because of their dual nationality, but also because of the lack of measures taken sufficiently and quickly by the Belgian authorities to be able to repatriate them," explained PS deputy Ahmed Laaouej to RTBF. "This is a situation that is absolutely intolerable. There are families torn apart because of this," he deplored.