Anti-migrant riots have led to concerns in Spain. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, clashes took place between migrants and local residents in a southeastern Spanish town over the beating of a 68-year-old man by three youths from North Africa and continued for several nights. But this is not the only event of anti-migrant riots — though such riots are not frequent — in Spain. Anti-migrant riots including the 2000 El Ejido riots took place in the past. Hopefully saying, the arrests of 14 rioters and a strong police presence in response to the latest riots calmed the situation, leading to a respite.
But it remains unclear whether there will not be such riots in the future in Spain, to which thousands of people migrate from different regions including Africa. Though any specific events including beatings and killings (such as the murders of Spanish citizens by Moroccan migrants that led to the 2000 El Ejido riots) directly and immediately lead to anti-migrant riots, there are various underlying reasons for such riots. Economic competition, social tensions, cultural differences, historical prejudices such as Xenophobia and racism and mistrust between many locals and migrants are some main causes. The presence of a large number of migrants, particularly from North African countries including Morocco, who are believed by many locals to fill their low-skilled and labor-intensive jobs, leads to their resentment. But the resentment exacerbates especially due to economic downturns or perceived threats to their local culture or identity.Â
Photo credit: https://edition.cnn.com/.
But, hopefully saying, various measures of the governments of Spain have helped address anti-migrant riots. The criminalization of hate crimes and racially motivated violence, the investigation of riots and the prosecution of perpetrators have helped address such riots. Spain provides more opportunities to the native as well as migrants for income ge neration compared to some other countries that reduce the chance of anti-migrant riots due to economic competition. The promotion of dialogues between migrant workers and employers and intercultural dialogues has also been helpful in Spain, where racial motivation is less and subtle forms of racism and racial profiling are still present and contribute to a perception of racism among certain groups.
But there are various limitations to the government efforts. The response mainly focuses on addressing the violence and immediate consequences, such as preventing further riots and providing compensation for damaged property and temporary housing. But the underlying causes of racially motivated riots are not adequately addressed, leading to the limited outcomes of the efforts to address such riots. Pertinently saying, there is a difficulty and a lack of effective measures to combat xenophobia and prejudice. Among others, political exploitation especially of far-right political groups that fuel resentment and division is also less addressed in Spain.
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But addressing the anti-migrant riots is vital in Spain — one of the developed countries in Europe. While immediate law enforcement-based responses are needed to calm down the situation and prevent further escalation of anti-migrant riots, the underlying causes need to be desirably addressed to reduce the chance of such riots more effectively. But the economic concerns of the locals need to be addressed, along with those of migrants. Addressing xenophobia and racial prejudice, which are often difficult to combat not only in Spain but also in many countries, is also vital.
But promoting increased tolerance among races especially Spanish citizens and Moroccan people, the two groups between which anti-migrant riots mainly occur in Spain, can help reduce the chance of such riots. For this, promoting community engagement and dialogues and intercultural programs with an emphasis especially in the anti-migrant riot-prone areas can be helpful. But addressing social media influences that fuel anti-migrant riots is needed.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
