EU-Morocco Partnership Prioritizes Migration Control Over Human Rights, Experts Say

"The European Union and Western countries are very undemanding when it comes to Morocco’s management of human rights and the very slow march of the regime towards democracy. Their priority is elsewhere," according to academics Khadija Mohsen-Finan and Pierre Vermeren.

For more than a decade, Morocco has played a leading role in the management of certain affairs with Europe, particularly on issues related to migration and religious radicalism. On the issue of migration, Morocco "often violently pushes back sub-Saharan migrants trying to reach Europe," the academics point out. On the second issue, the Kingdom has shown its indispensable character in the fight against religious radicalism.

Meanwhile, Europe is putting no pressure on Morocco regarding respect for human rights, which are clearly being trampled on in the Kingdom. As an illustration, the academics pointed out that "the European Union and its Mediterranean countries no longer make liberalization or political transition a prerequisite in this part of the world."

Speaking on this subject in a dissuasive manner is what the European Union and Western countries prefer the least. They fear that by raising the issue of respect for human rights, it will destabilize the Kingdom.

Morocco remains a privileged partner that Europe preserves at all costs.