Belgium forced deportations of Moroccans quadruple in 2024

Belgium’s Secretary of State for Migration Nicole de Moor announced on Wednesday that the number of forced deportations of Moroccans residing illegally in Belgium has quadrupled this year, according to Belgian newspaper Le Soir.

She attributed this increase in deportations to strengthened cooperation between Brussels and Rabat in this area, agreed upon in April.

“This year, 203 individuals have already been forcibly deported, including 113 people who were released from prison. Last year, only 43 individuals were deported to Morocco,” said de Moor.

The secretary of State for Migration emphasized that these deportations must meet a set of strict conditions, including verifying the identity of deportees, obtaining a transit permit from Moroccan authorities, and strengthening consultations with Moroccan consulates and embassies.”

These figures come after Brussels secured guarantees for the deportation of Moroccans in irregular status, particularly prisoners, during the Joint High-Level Committee meeting between Brussels and Rabat in April.

At the time, the official told Belgian media that “Rabat assured us it would accept the return of Moroccans in irregular status.”

According to Belgian media, citing another Belgian government source who attended the meeting, “Brussels discussed with the Moroccan delegation the possibility of deporting at least five people on each regular flight,” confirming that “this became possible after the Partnership Committee meeting.”

Le soir reported that the “long-standing and difficult battle to deport Moroccans in irregular status continues, as Rabat remains hesitant and reluctant to cooperate on this issue.”

The same source revealed that “Brussels secured Moroccan assurances for the deportation of these individuals in irregular status, along with the creation of a judicial liaison officer position, Belgium’s second such intelligence role after the United States.”

The Belgian news outlet RTBF mentioned that “the issue of Moroccan detainees in Belgian prisons was also discussed at the Joint High-Level Committee meeting, with Brussels aiming to deport a total of 1,100 prisoners.”