Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, expressed his surprise at the direction of ongoing discussions on racial issues, noting that there is no racial discrimination in Morocco.
Speaking at the 111th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva on Wednesday, Ouahbi said that Morocco has become a victim of preconceived notions imposed upon the African continent from external regions.
“I initially thought the discussion would take a different direction, but it seems that we have become victims of preconceived notions crafted around issues in other regions and imposed upon us in Africa,” Ouahbi said.
Ouahbi said that Morocco’s rich history has seen the integration of various ethnicities for centuries, making it challenging for anyone to definitively claim, for instance, Amazigh or Arab roots.
“No one in Morocco, and I challenge anyone to say otherwise, can definitively claim Amazigh or Arab roots, even if they live among the Amazigh themselves,” the minister said.
Ouahbi revealed his own mixed heritage saying “personally, I have Amazigh roots on one side and Arab roots on the other, and when asked in a census whether I am Amazigh or Arab, I will find myself uncertain whether to say Arab or Amazigh.”
Addressing discussions about slavery, the minister emphasized that such a topic is not ingrained in Morocco’s moderate Islamic culture. He clarified that Morocco did not play a role in the colonization of America or the transportation of slaves.
“We did not colonize America, nor did we transport slaves there. We were not involved in any crimes related to slavery. Yet, I find myself being held accountable for a historical issue present in other places and committed by others,” said Ouahbi.
Ouahbi, however, admitted that Morocco could potentially encounter the challenge of racial discrimination in the coming future.
“In the near future, we will face challenges related to racial discrimination in Morocco, and we are actively discussing and preparing for them,” Ouahbi said.
The Minister outlined two key issues regarding racism, the first being Morocco’s transition from a transit country to a stable destination for African immigrants. With intense competition for job opportunities, the minister expressed concern that some Moroccans may feel marginalized in favor of employing Africans who require economic assistance.
The second issue involves occasional racist comments in the sports sector. Ouahbi reassured that measures have been taken to address and confront these comments, demonstrating the government’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and combating racial discrimination in the country.
Ouahbi said that Morocco has always been a culture of integration, stating that many individuals from the south marry those from Tangier, and many Amazigh people marry individuals from the south. Thus, Moroccan families encompass a wealth of cultural diversity rather than racial distinctions.
“I want a Moroccan society untouched by the culture of racial discrimination, and this can only be achieved by preserving the Moroccan society as it is now,” he asserted.
Ouahbi concluded by urging for questions that concern Morocco rather than those concerning others
A 2022 report from the Arab Barometer revealed that Morocco has a high reported cases of racial discrimination. Almost one-third of Moroccan citizens said that they have been subjected to racist comments at least once.
The report stated that the most common reaction when faced with racial abuse is to ignore it. However, Morocco ranks lowest in ignoring the issue, with only a 35% rating.
Morocco also stood out for having a high percentage, 26%, of individuals who respond to racial abuse in a physical manner.
The report revealed that 43% of Moroccans believe anti-black discrimination is a problem, compared to 37% who consider racial discrimination more problematic.
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