An international symposium on the "Rural Question" was held in Brussels, Belgium, with participants emphasizing the need to bring the voice of the rural people to the global community. The symposium, attended by diplomats, politicians, human rights activists, and legal experts from several countries, highlighted the rural question from historical, political, legal, and human rights perspectives. The discussions focused on the background and developments of the issue.
Yuba El Ghdawi, Deputy Head of the National Rural Party, stressed that the event aimed to bring the rural question out of the "circle of obscurity" and bring the voice of the rural people to the international community. He criticized the transfer of the Rif region from Spanish to Moroccan occupation without consulting its inhabitants, leading to a new phase of conflict, repression, and suffering.
Carlos Sanchez, a geopolitical analyst, considered the historical injustice of Morocco's occupation of the region incompatible with international law. He emphasized the justice of the rural cause and expressed concern about Morocco's alliances in the region. Isabel Valero, a political analyst, believed that the rural question was gaining momentum and support in the European space, making its voice more heard.
The symposium was organized to continue raising the rural question in various political, intellectual, and legal spaces and to present a broader vision of the National Rural Party's demands and positions on the future of the Rif region. The party had organized a peaceful march in Brussels, renewing its demand for the right of the rural people to self-determination, freedom, and independence.
The events were held to mark the 105th anniversary of the declaration of the Rif Republic, aiming to renew the discussion of the rural question and its demands and introduce it at the European and international levels. The participants called for the independence of the Rif region, citing law, history, and culture.
Koldo Salazar Lopez, an analyst, considered Morocco "not a trustworthy partner," citing its practices towards its people, which he said drove citizens to migrate to European shores. He also criticized Morocco's occupation of the Rif region and the Western Sahara.
The recent mass crossing of migrants in the Spanish city of Ceuta was also discussed, with Lopez accusing the Moroccan system of coordinating the operation, describing it as an "invasion" of Spanish shores by hordes of irregular migrants. The events highlighted the need for the international community to address the rural question and the consequences of Morocco's actions.
Key points
- The international symposium in Brussels called for bringing the voice of the rural people to the global community.
- Participants emphasized the need to address the historical injustice of Morocco's occupation of the Rif region.
- The rural question was highlighted as a matter of self-determination, freedom, and independence for the rural people.
