Driss El Yazami: "If Vox were in power, it would also try to attract migrant workers."

PalmThe president of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad, Driss El Yazami (Fez, 1952), knows well the price of being a human rights activist after experiencing imprisonment and exile in France during the reign of Hassan II. Currently, the institutional weight of his position has not distanced him from the realities of his country, as demonstrated by his advocacy for changes that would make it more democratic. Yazami visited Mallorca to present a study on school enrollment and dropout rates among Moroccan students.

What is the situation of Moroccan immigration in Spain?

— Immigrants play a significant role in economic contributions, both in Spain and Morocco. They also serve as a social and cultural link between the two countries, especially the second generation. In literature, there are second-generation Catalan writers such as Najat El Hachmi, Laila Karrouch, and Youssef El Maimouni. In science, there is a growing number of researchers at universities. Beyond immigration, Spain is the top tourist destination for Moroccans and has been their main economic partner. Therefore, we must reflect on the role of Moroccan immigration in Spain within this complex web of economic, cultural, tourism, and social interests. Clearly, there are points of complexity and conflict. Not everything is positive or positive. These processes have included events such as colonization, the Rif War, the Moroccan presence in the Spanish Civil War, and, currently, the issue of unaccompanied minors. These situations add elements of distortion to relationships, which are reflected in the subconscious of societies and influence people's attitudes. The issue is not mobility itself, but the conditions under which that mobility is addressed, such as the need for equality and justice. This applies not only between the Global North and South, but also within the South: four out of every five people who move in Africa do so between African countries. There is no invasion of the North; this perception is fabricated to create that image.

What do you think about political parties seeking votes through Islamophobia and sowing discord with migrants? There's this idea that the minors who arrive are criminals.

— There is an international tendency to exploit migration for political gain. Political parties, institutional leaders, and the media must use common sense when addressing this issue. Migrants make up 4% of the world's population: it is a minority phenomenon. And, up to that point in history, the continent from which the most migration to other destinations originated was Europe, starting with Christopher Columbus [laughs]. European migrants have faced practically the same integration problems as Moroccans do now, with Spain being one of the countries that has participated most in migration processes from Europe to other destinations. The phenomenon of unaccompanied minors is not new; it has existed for decades. Minors have realized that the world is mobile. They have access to technology and see other things, like footballers and artists. They think they can do these things too. They don't accept that they can't move around, and they try. In Senegal, there's an expression: Barça or Barzaj [in the Wolof language], which means 'Barça or death'.

Minors are at the center of the political squabble in Spain.

— It is necessary to use intelligence and reflect. Many parties that resort to demagoguery and oversimplification are acting against the interests of the host country. There is a demand for labor, and there are children on the path to becoming working-age adults. Instead of taking the positive approach of integrating these young people and benefiting all of society, they are driven by dark and demagogic interests and use minors to win votes. There is international law on migrant children, which developed countries have supported. These are people with rights that cannot be chosen based on who is in power at any given time.

To what extent are you concerned about the rise of the far right?

— There is a contradiction between political parties that use immigration as part of their strategy and the programs countries have to attract migrant workers. If Vox were in power, it would do the same. In Italy, Meloni gives racist and anti-immigrant speeches, but at the same time signs bilateral agreements with countries to bring in workers. Meanwhile, there are movements that go even further than the far right. This is already evident in the United Kingdom. The use of identity to create conflict can lead to serious social unrest.

Let young people migrate too, because they are searching for a dream. Generation Z has demonstrated in Morocco and other countries to demand change. What should be done to improve the situation?

— Young people in Morocco are educated, connected, and urban. These three factors lead them to question the power of historical patriarchy. This is a process happening throughout North Africa, and they want change now. The protest movement has been peaceful, with a few exceptions in outlying cities, and the demands have focused on the implementation of the constitution. This demonstrates that they are people who aspire to the political and economic development of their country and who are committed to good governance. I was part of the commission that drafted Morocco's new Constitution of 2011, and all of this was discussed. Also discussed was the fact that young people no longer believe in traditional mechanisms of political participation, such as political parties. They envision other ways to get involved. For this reason, other factors were introduced into the new constitution, such as youth participation and women's equality, which must play a leading role beyond parties and unions. It's been over six years since youth councils and community participation were approved, but they haven't been given the space to get started. The new constitution also includes provisions for popular legislative initiatives, but conditions have been imposed that make them unfeasible. When you close off spaces for expression and communication, it's legitimate for people to take to the streets. Regarding the issues that have sparked the mobilization—public healthcare and education—there's a general consensus that they need to be addressed, despite the obstacles being encountered. The mobilizations have led to arrests and trials with harsh sentences that will have to be reconsidered. Solutions must be found as soon as possible, but not for young people, rather with young people.