Moroccan Petition Calls for Visas on European Tourists Amid Safety Concerns

The petition, launched on the "Change" platform, has already collected hundreds of signatures, we are informed. In a letter addressed to the Moroccan government, the initiators of the petition made it known that "the Moroccan nation is deeply outraged by the potential damage caused by European tourists (fatal accidents, dangerous urban demonstrations, delinquency, hit-and-run accidents, shootings, etc.). Moreover, some French criminals find refuge in Morocco to escape French justice".

"According to statistics, the majority of Moroccans have difficulty obtaining a visa at least once in their lives. France and Spain are among the countries that refuse the most Moroccan visa applications, even when all the conditions are met," denounces the petition, calling on the Moroccan authorities to "apply the principle of reciprocity in visa matters". "This reciprocity is not only a matter of justice, but also of respect for Moroccan citizens who deserve to benefit from the same considerations as citizens of other countries".

"We are considered second-class citizens, undesirable, while our Moroccan students excel in French schools, and the resulting brain drain serves the interests of France," they criticize. And to continue: "Moreover, it is not reasonable for countries like France to demand a visa of 90 euros, which can easily be refused, without reimbursement of fees. Every year, Moroccans, whether students, tourists, businessmen or artists, leave millions of dirhams in the coffers of French consulates."

The petition insists that the "imbalance in the Moroccan-French ’friendship’ be corrected, and control at the entrance to our territory be strengthened by imposing an electronic visa or a visa on arrival, in order to preserve the dignity of the Moroccan people". Its initiators invite the actors of the tourism sector to support this action, "because it will prevent their establishments from being poorly rated due to the inappropriate behavior of certain tourists. Most tourist destinations in the world impose a visa on their visitors, and the need for a visa to enter a country does not diminish its tourist appeal".