Jóvenes marroquíes en Europa: ¿igualdad o discriminación?

The right of all individuals to equality before the law and protection against discrimination is a fundamental principle of any democratic society.  However, racism is a scourge that continues to exist. The Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) had published the results of an international survey conducted in collaboration with the International Institute for Opinion Studies (IPSOS). The study entitled 'Young Moroccans in Europe: equality and discrimination' has analysed - after interviewing 1,433 people from Morocco aged 18 to 35 - the different forms of discrimination they face in the countries where they live (Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Germany). 

Several demonstrations have been held in Paris, Madrid and Brussels in recent weeks to denounce discrimination and racism against minorities. The study carried out by CCME considers that "immigrants of Moroccan origin, who form one of the largest communities in Europe, have been discriminated against on several occasions in their countries of residence". However, this racism does not manifest itself in the form of police violence or attacks in a political context, but is present in everyday life such as access to employment, housing or religious practice. 

At European level, "64% of people interviewed had difficulty finding a job, 57% had difficulty finding housing and 42% had difficulty practising their religion," the survey revealed.  These statistics vary according to the conditions in each country. For example, the study found that discrimination in employment is more frequent among young people in the Netherlands (83%), while in Italy 65% of young people surveyed have difficulty obtaining a bank loan.

The figures also reveal that young Moroccans have the worst access to housing in Germany (69%) and Italy (65%), a difficulty much less present among young people in the Netherlands (35%). Although obstacles to the practice of religion are not the most common problem faced by young Moroccans in Europe, compared to access to employment and housing, this issue is still quite present among young people in Germany (58%) and the Netherlands, and much less so in Belgium and Spain, says this study. 

In Spain, more than half of young Moroccans have difficulties in finding a job (59%) and 50% of them struggle to find a house The most frequent difficulties concern working conditions (50%) and the level of remuneration (35%), according to this study. "Moroccan public policies would be more effective if they could be adapted to the specific realities of each community," the research concludes. 

With regard to other countries, the study shows that most young Moroccans living in Germany have had difficulty finding housing (69%), a job (60%) or practicing their religion (58%). In Belgium, on the other hand, these people have mainly reported being discriminated against when looking for a job (65%) or finding a house (50%). 

As for France, the survey reveals that the main concerns are access to employment (67%) and the housing situation (63% acknowledge difficulties), which is also the case in Italy where most young people have difficulties in obtaining a bank loan. Finally, this study states that among 83% of Moroccans living in the Netherlands who have difficulties in finding a job, working conditions (37%) are the main concern. 

The Secretary General of the CCME, Abdellah Boussouf, has urged all parties involved in this situation "to become aware of the weight of their responsibility in the face of the difficulties that hinder the development and participation of young Moroccans in the societies in which they live". In particular, it called on the government "to strengthen cultural diplomacy in the countries of residence through activities aimed at demonstrating the diversity of Moroccan identity and the values of tolerance, coexistence and respect for others.

The CCME also called on Moroccans living in these countries to "restructure their associative network and strengthen their presence in NGOs defending the rights of minorities and immigrants". And, on the other hand, it called on the countries analysed in this study to apply "the rights of protection of minorities and the respect of the principle of equal opportunities for all components of society". They have also called for a strengthening of the role of schools in promoting the values of diversity and coexistence in order to neutralize the stereotypes that are transmitted in some textbooks".