Moroccan Activists Protest EU Visa Restrictions, Alleging Discrimination

It was at the call of the Moroccan League for the Defense of Human Rights (LMDDH) that about fifty protesters gathered to express their resentment. A few days ago, the AMDH had addressed the EU ambassador through an open letter, complaining about the "treatment reserved for asylum seekers".

"We are here to express our anger at the humiliation, arrogance and racism suffered by many of our fellow citizens whose visa applications are rejected by EU states," said Aziz Ghali, an associative actor.

They claim to be unaware of the reasons why visa applications are rejected even if the applicant meets all the conditions. And even worse, the application fees are not refunded after rejection. "Yes to freedom of movement, no to colonial agreements!" they chanted. "The deprivation of visas is a discriminatory and racist act," read a placard.

In September 2021, France decided to reduce the number of visas granted to Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. The reason given is "the reluctance of these countries to take back their nationals in an irregular situation in the Hexagon". For the Moroccan authorities, the decision is "unjustified" and remains a "great mistake" in intellectual circles. In Morocco, the situation has sparked a wave of outrage on social media and even in political circles.