Outrageous Deportation of Moroccan Tourists Casts Shadow on Turkish Tourism

Rabat – The recent, indefensible deportation by Turkish authorities of two Moroccan nationals to northern Syria has fueled further concerns over the mistreatment of tourists based on their ethnicity, casting a dark shadow over Turkey’s reputation as a welcoming tourist destination and brings to light a larger issue of wrongful deportations involving Syrians and other nationalities.

As the news of the outrageous deportation gathers steam among Moroccans, some have taken to social media to describe the incident as an embarrassment and call on Turkish authorities to apologize for exposing the two Moroccans to such appalling treatment.

For many, the blatant racism and unjustifiable profiling of Azzedine Ramach Ben Abderrahim and Nabil Rushdi Ben Ahmed, the deported young Moroccans, have become emblematic of the broader challenges facing minority communities in Turkey.

Azzedine Ramach Ben Abderrahim and Nabil Rushdi Ben Ahmed’s shocking ordeal began when they arrived in Turkey for a tourism-oriented trip. Being in possession of valid passports and visas, the two young men hoped to explore the cultural richness and historical beauty that Turkey has to offer. However, their journey took an unexpected turn when Turkish authorities apprehended them and sent them to a deportation center in Istanbul.

Despite having proper documentation, the two Moroccans were identified as Syrian refugees, a grievous error that led to their deportation to northern Syria. They found themselves within the clutches of the “anti-smuggling” department in Azaz, a city situated along the Turkey-Syria border, only to have their true nationality verified after their arrival. Upon learning of the situation, the Moroccan embassy in Ankara, intervened and successfully secured the repatriation of the two citizens back to Morocco via Turkey.

The Plight of Arab tourists

The issue of racial profiling and the mistreatment of tourists based on their appearance or ethnicity is a growing concern. It has garnered international attention, with a need of thorough investigation into the matter. The accidental deportation of the Moroccan tourists echoes a sentiment shared by many Arab tourists who have felt unwelcome or targeted during their visits to Turkey.

On Tuesday this week, the Dubai-based television channel Al Mashhad aired a televised report zooming into tourists’ concerns during their stay in Turkey.

As part of its report, the television channel shed much-needed light on a series of videos documenting the mistreatment tourists face while vacationing in Turkey.

One of the videos shows a woman seemingly from a Gulf country venting her frustration at the treatment she received from one of the customers in a fast food store. “If you don’t want us here, go ask Erdogan,” the woman is seen telling off a customer who had dismissively asked her to “shut up.”

Another video also documents the moment when a group of Turkish men violently beat two people said to be from Yemen.

Amid such mistreatment, Turkish companies have acknowledged a decrease in Arab tourists in this summer season, warning that similar mistreatment and violence against Arab tourists could lead to further declines in the number of tourists visiting Turkey from Arab countries. .

“An Arab tourist invests approximately $4,000 for a trip to Turkey,” stressed the host of the Al Mashhad news program, further quoting experts as expressing concerns and frustration over the situation that Arab tourists face during their trips.

A’aid El Manae, a political scientist, said that Arab tourists are among the most discriminated against in Turkey.

“Treatment differs from one nationality to another. Treatment of European, American, Australian tourists is different from the treatment that Arab tourists receive in Turkey,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Tank Bakir Atajan, Director of the Istanbul Institute of Thought and Studies, said that Turkey should take the necessary measures to abolish such unconscionable mistreatment of Arabs.

Turkey’s tourism revenues reached $46.28 billion in 2022, registering a year-on-year increase of 53.4 per cent, according to figures released by the Turkish’s Ministry of Tourism. Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city by population, was the top choice for foreign visitors, welcoming more than 16 million tourists.

The wrongful deportation of the two young Moroccans was thus not an isolated incident. Indeed, numerous sources have disclosed that this incident is part of a broader pattern of wrongful deportations in the region.

In March 2022, four young Afghans were similarly arrested and deported to northern Syria, highlighting a disturbing pattern of mistaken identity and lack of due diligence on the part of Turkish authorities.

As Turkey’s tourism industry aims to recover from the economic impacts of the global pandemic, it is imperative for the country to address these incidents promptly and transparently. Fostering a welcoming environment for tourists from all corners of the globe, regardless of their ethnicity, is crucial not only for economic growth but also for upholding the principles of human rights and dignity.

In the face of these recent developments, many in the international community are watching closely, urging Turkish authorities to rectify their systems, conduct thorough checks, and put an end to the troubling trend of racial profiling. Only through concerted efforts to eradicate such practices can Turkey reestablish itself as a destination where all tourists are treated with the respect they deserve.

Turkey has been known to grapple with the influx of Syrian refugees over the years, and these incidents underscore the urgency for authorities to ensure accurate identification and proper treatment of individuals crossing its borders.

The tragic story of Azzedine Ramach Ben Abderrahim and Nabil Rushdi Ben Ahmed comes as Turkey faces a pivotal moment in redefining its approach to immigration and tourism. It needs to rectify past mistakes and safeguard its reputation on the international stage.