Expulsion of Syrian refugees: Algeria's attempt to spur political tensions with Morocco

Dispatching a bunch of refugees from Algeria to Moroccan territories is an adventurous and irresponsible move from a country which has long sought to fuel tensions with its neighbors. Algeria must assume the full responsibility for the inhuman act it did.

Morocco doesn’t stand against Syrians moving to its land as long as it believes that it is compulsory to lend a hand to all refugees who walked out on their countries fleeing the devastating war and political turmoil in which their country has been bogging down for almost two years. Though it is not a rich country as one may assume, it still upholds a good sense of humanity, tolerance and cooperation toward Syrian refugees and makes its best to provide for their basic needs. It is not the first time it has done so; it has been doing this for quite a long time.

Throughout history, the kingdom of Morocco that spans over 12 decades has demonstrated a good sense of hospitality to the whole world. Long time ago it hosted many people, coming for different reasons, from East (Jews and Arabs), South (Sub-Saharan Africans) and North (Romans).

Jews with Berbers were the first to settle down in Morocco, and they have contributed much to its heritage. They gained approval from almost all the kings who reigned the country throughout history. King Hassan 2 used to say, “when a Jew leaves his country, Morocco loses a resident and wins an ambassador”. Of course the story of Moroccan Jews is one single example of a genius country which, despite going through ups and downs, has long endeavored to promote human rights, diversity, solidarity and tolerance.

It is also known that Morocco remains the gateway for Europe, a state that has long lured sub-Saharan and central Africans to swarm to the land. It annually receives an influx of refugees who arrive with the hope to move to the other shores no matter what the means are. Although the European Union is recurrently placing Morocco under unceasing pressure to put in place border control and deport any illegal alien who dares pop up on Moroccan land, the country remains creative and flexible in looking for ways to co-exist with these people.

1 April 2010, UN high commissioner of refugees reported that innovated steps had been taken toward refugee community, integrating, and voluntarily supporting them in partnership with the international organization for migration. The report also casted lights on the efforts Morocco is making and that it has an outstanding policy of welcoming refugees and migrants.

Morocco is not blamed for overlooking the issue of human rights simply because it has heeded every single amendment postulated by the UN with respect to the issue of human rights and refugees since a long time. The blame must be put rather on Algeria for violating these rights by the expulsion of refugees from its borders to Morocco’s. While these refugees should be welcome in both countries, and their issues shouldn’t transgress to the political state between two countries, Algeria is grabbing the chance to worsen the political instability in the region.

It is therefore an apt time for anyone who dares argue against Moroccan defense and implementation of human rights to pause at the efforts being made and perhaps the obstacles encountered to welcome, protect , and serve Syrian refugees in its land. It has long crossed the path of human rights. The whole blame must be put rather on Algeria, which tended to rocket Syrians in Moroccan territories with less cost.

 It is imperative that Algeria as well as Morocco should cater for these refugees but not seize the opportunity to deteriorate the political state between the two countries.