Rabat – Spanish authorities have arrested at least 14 people for their alleged involvement in riots, particularly anti-migrant clashes, since Friday last week.
Spain, especially Murcia, has been witnessing violent clashes and riots targeting migrants, particularly Moroccans, since the assault of a 68-year-old Spaniard in Torre Pacheco in southeastern Spain.
Reports alleged that the assault was perpetrated by three men of North African origin, potentially from Morocco. One of the suspects is a 19-year-old who is allegedly the main perpetrator.
Since Friday, authorities arrested over 14 suspects, the majority of whom are Spanish nationals, for being involved in anti-migrant riots and violent clashes targeting Moroccans.
The tension was fueled by far-right groups like Vox, which launched a manhunt and urged targeting migrants, particularly Moroccans.
Reuters quoted Abdelali, an informal spokesperson for the Moroccan community who lives in Murcia, launching a peace appeal amid the critical situation.
“We don’t want criminals,” he said, condemning the violence. “We don’t want violence or people who come from outside to make trouble here.”
Reports emphasize that people arrested in connection with the assault on the 68-year-old man were not from Torre Pacheco. Some critics have suspected the situation, suggesting far-right involvement in the case to stir tensions and violence in the region.
Many have joined growing lists of politicians and communities condemning the violence and calling for calm.
The Moroccan consulate in Murcia reiterated its solidarity with Moroccans in the region, reassuring citizens that it is in constant contact with Spanish authorities to ensure security guarantees are provided to Moroccans.
It also expressed condemnation of violent, hostile actions against members of the Moroccan community.
Anti-migrant sentiment and Islamophobia is not a new challenge in Spain and Europe in general.
A report from OHCHR said that at least 17 cases have been reported to NGOs by young women on their first day of class in 2020. The complainants mostly reported being denied entrance to their high schools because they wear a hijab. This is despite the absence of any formal legislation prohibiting the hijab.
“Political leaders who openly use Islamophobia in their public discourses usually belong to far-right Vox or right-wing PP,” the report said.
The OHCHR report emphasized that while until 2017 Islamophobic hate speech was “noticeably clear, especially after each terror attack, the years after it became interlaced with xenophobic hate speech against North African migrants and more specifically against migrant unaccompanied minors.”
