Morocco: lawmakers consider ban on promoting migration

Amidst increasing numbers of Moroccans making irregular journeys to Europe, the country’s lawmakers are set to discuss a new law which could criminalise promoting migration to young people.

Proposed by the centrist Popular Movement party, the law would make the luring of minors into irregular migration a crime punishable by 5-10 years in prison or by fines of up to 500,000 dirhams ($50,000), reports the New Arab on May 7th.

It would also criminalise the glorification and promotion of irregular migration, including the sharing of misleading information or indirect encouragement which could become punishable by up to three years in prison and fines of 100,000 dirhams ($10,000).

The bill is due to be discussed in the next few days, as Morocco builds up to summer, where migration levels will be expected to peak.

Social media has become an increasingly valuable source for those wishing to migrate with Tiktoks featuring ‘tips and tricks’ amassing thousands of views online.

One Tiktoker under the name “cha_imae17”, gained over 200,000 followers through sharing the story of her journey to Spain and providing advice to others wishing to follow in her footsteps.

The rise in this type of content is clearly raising concerns among lawmakers especially amidst a surge in migration attempts witnessed last summer by both adults and minors.

This included a number of clashes with border police at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Several of these involved groups of minors attempting to rush the Ceuta border fence, coordinating via calls on social media.

Successful attempts, particularly when involving minors, have sparked controversy in Spain due to the requirements under EU law which restrict the ability of the Spanish authorities to send these migrants back.

A decision in 2021 to mass deport a group of young Moroccans who had recently crossed into Ceuta was ruled unlawful last year by Spain’s Supreme Court.

The proposed law would give the Moroccan authorities greater powers to crack down on social media content seen to be fuelling this incidences.

However, many are questioning whether this bill is the correct response, the Moroccan League for Citizenship and Human Rights arguing it shows “a punitive mindset” over a commitment to addressing “systemic failures.”

The head of the rights group, Idriss El-Sedraoui, has instead advocated for “structural responses” such as investment in education and jobs that “restores young people’s trust in their country.”

Unemployment remains a hugely pressing issue for Morocco’s youth.

According to data from Morocco’s Commission for Planning reported by Middle East Monitor on February 3rd, unemployment among Moroccans aged 15-24 stood at 36.7%.

“These children are not criminals. They are the victims of a broken system,” the activist El-Sedraoui added.

New Arab/Middle East Monitor/Maghrebi