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Manifesto of the Two Sides (Of the Meditarannean)

Manifesto of the Two Sides (Of the Meditarannean)

Since 2 November 1989, when corpses first began to appear on the beaches of Tarifa, we have been impotent in the face of a developing tragedy that nobody seems to want to stop

What happened in 1991 and 1992, when hundred of immigrants died while trying to reach the Spanish coast in little boats, set alarm bells ringing in Europe as well as Morocco. The system of visas agreed at Schengen had just been inaugurated.

From then to now, thousands of people have lost their lives and have buried their dreams at the bottom of the Straights which was the bridge between cultures and which they have now tried to convert into an impenetrable frontier.

Many voices have been raised in denunciation of the human bloodshed. We have incessantly pointed out their cause.

On the one hand there is the impoverishment of Morrocco which has its origin in dependency, and a system which divides the world between the enriched countries of the North and the impoverished countries of the South for the shameless benefit of the former. But the causes of impoverishment in Morocco are also to be found in the failure to apply policies that are favourable to the people. Meanwhile just a few, protected by a theocratic government, have become scandalously rich. This situation without a future is what obliges thousands of Moroccans - as happens with other southern countries - to seek solutions and dignity in emigration.

On the other hand the inhuman policy of closing the borders, whose most finished expression is the visa system and armed forces patrolling the Straights, for which the Spanish state and the European Union have spent billions of pesetas of public money, financed from the taxpayers\' money.

This policy has provoked thousands of deaths, and suffering and misfortune of thousands more. Besides, it is the origin of the phenomenon of "sans papiers" which should shame any democratic society. It has led to such terrible things as what happened in the Andulician town of El Ejido.

Even more insulting, this is a uselless policy, because it is impossible to stop the desire of people to find a better life with barbed wire and police. And what is more, the clandestinity it has brought about has encouraged the birth of mafia networks, formed by unscrupulous people on both sides of the Straights.

The Moroccan Human Rights Association and the Andalucia Association for Human Rights, along with all the groups and entities signing this manifesto, understand that it is now time to stop the barbarism. It is time to stop seeing immigration as a problem that needs to be controlled and contained. Immigration is a natural phenomemon which historically has provided benefits for the sending and receiving peoples. Migratory phenomena are nothing new. The Straights are a natural relational space, not a frontier which has to be made evermore impassable.

Through the Straights the Andalucian and the Moroccan people have forged their ties, they have constructed a common history, they have inter-related and influenced each other. Even though this history has its shadows as well as its bright spots, the relationship between the peoples has yielded mutual enrichment as a result.

All the signatory groups and entities are pledged to give continuity to this rich history. As we enter a new century we understand that living together and respect between peoples is the base on which a new history has to be built. And that it is only possible to build it inspired with a conception that is properly respectful of fundamental human rights.

For that reason we categorically denounce the Spanish administration at all its levels for rejecting the idea of living together, for its lack of integration policies and for allowing the super-exploitation of the immigrants.

The responsibility for what happened in El Ejido during February lies in good measure with the failures of the European, Spanish and Andalucian authorities. We believe that it is not enough to criticise the increase of racism in other parts of Europe. It has to be prevented and fought against in our own societies. And for this consideration of the rights to citizenship of immigrants is indispensable.

On the other side, the Moroccan Government carries its own share of responsibility for the development of these phenomena. It has failed to defend its own emigrant citizens in Andalucia. And while the government sector has become enriched, it has lacked policies to develop the people.

With all of this in mind, the Moroccan Human Rights Association and the Andalucia Association for Human Rights, as well as all the groups, associations and entities that support this manifesto:

We demand of the European Union, the Government of Spain and the Governmnet of Andalucia, working within the framework of their respective competencies, a policy of cooperation in developing respect for the history of our releationship, which encourages and respects the culture of both side sof the Straights, that is directed towards the Moroccan people and the peoples of thoer poor countries and and at their governments, in the spirit of reparations and not of charity.

We urge the Moroccan Government to adopt policies that are favourable to its people, to direct basic resources to the people and the sectors that are most disadvantaged, the development of education and culture and respect for fundmantal human rights.

We seriously question the migration policies coming from the European Union, whose most finished exponent is the Schengen Convention. We demand with all our energy a total reconsideration of the policy of closing the borders and an end to the system of visas of origin that causes the human drama that we live though on the Straights. And, on that basis, the articulation of new mechanisms so that immigration stops being seen as a problem and, on the contrary, that it be considered as the fundamental human right of any human being.

We urge the application of all measures that encourage both peoples living together in peace, starting with those that favour the social integration of immigrants in Andalucia such that they are able to return to their places of origin whenever they have to, and policies that develope interchange and friendship on both sides of the Straights.

We bring this manifesto, with the supporting signatures, to the attention of the different governments, parliaments and authorities of the competent administrations in Andalucia and Morocco, as well as defenders of the people and the international organisations that stand for the defence and protection of human rights.

FOR LIVING TOGETHER, AGAINST RACISM!
NOT ONE MORE DEATH IN THE STRAIGHTS!
CITIZENS HERE AND THERE!

Supporting this Manifesto:

Name of group or entity:

Name and signature of responsible person:

Send to :

Associación Pro Derechos Humanos de Andalucia
c. Sagasta #3, primero
11004 Cadiz

Telephone 0034 956 228511, Fax: 0034 956 223855
E-mail: "apdha.cadiz@nodo50.org"