Moroccan Authorities Shield Sex Tourists from Legal Consequences, Relying on Sex Tourism as an Economic Resource

✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | June 26th, 2024 — A Moroccan parliamentarian has vehemently criticized the kingdom’s government for promoting sex tourism as a means of economic gain, calling for accountability over numerous scandals of moral corruption. The lawmaker stressed that Morocco has become a haven for sex tourism, drawing those in search of illicit pleasures.

The Moroccan regime focuses on encouraging this unethical form of tourism, seeing it as a crucial economic resource amid the nation’s ongoing crisis.

Growing Concerns and Calls for Accountability

The parliamentarian’s remarks come amidst increasing local and international concerns about the rising trend of sex tourism in Morocco. Local studies have highlighted a surge in sexual assaults linked to the growing number of tourists seeking sexual gratification. Alarmingly, these studies point out that foreign nationals involved in such crimes often benefit from royal pardons.

This behavior, critics argue, underscores Morocco’s reliance on sex tourism as a new economic strategy. The nation’s authorities have been accused of turning a blind eye to these practices, despite the significant moral and social implications.

Actions and Inactions of Moroccan Authorities

In recent years, Morocco’s reputation has been marred by numerous sex tourism scandals involving wealthy Western and Arab tourists. These individuals are drawn to Morocco for its combination of natural beauty and opportunities for sexual exploitation.

Despite receiving warnings from local sources and friendly nations, including France—through reports from the Ministry of Family and Childhood and the Ministry of Tourism—Moroccan officials have not made substantial efforts to curb this invasive form of tourism. The fear of jeopardizing their tourism strategy has led to a lack of stringent measures against the influx of sex tourists.

Media investigations by Western television channels, particularly Spanish and French networks, have exposed the rampant nature of sex tourism in Moroccan cities such as Marrakech, Agadir, and Essaouira. These reports revealed an overwhelming supply of sexual services, with foreign tourists primarily from France and Germany partaking in these illicit activities. Some of these tourists have faced brief imprisonment, only to be released shortly after, demonstrating the leniency afforded to foreign offenders.

Sex Tourism as a Thriving Industry

The revelations from these media investigations depict a grim reality: the bodies and dignity of Moroccans are being commodified at meager prices. The Moroccan government’s tepid response has only exacerbated the issue, further embedding sex tourism into the country’s economic framework.

The authorities’ primary reaction has been limited to prosecuting individuals whose images were captured during these media investigations. However, this response has done little to address the underlying issue or deter future occurrences. Instead, it highlights a troubling acceptance and normalization of sex tourism as part of Morocco’s economic landscape.

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