Rima Hassan’s controversial stance on Morocco: A political maneuver or genuine advocacy?

Saturday 19 April 2025 - 14:35

By: Dakir Madiha

Rima Hassan’s controversial stance on Morocco: A political maneuver or genuine advocacy?

Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament representing La France Insoumise, has gained recognition as a fervent advocate for human rights. However, beneath this activist exterior lies a narrative that appears selectively biased and increasingly hostile towards certain nations, particularly Morocco.

Currently under investigation in France for tweets supporting Palestine, Hassan positions herself as a victim of a "repressive system." Yet, this martyrdom narrative obscures a more troubling reality: a politician who seemingly exploits genuine causes to further dangerous ideological agendas, all while launching vehement attacks against the Kingdom of Morocco.

Observers in Morocco are particularly alarmed not by Hassan's support for the Palestinian cause, but by her persistent interference in the country’s internal affairs, disregarding the principles of sovereignty and non-interference.

During her 2024 electoral campaign, she openly associated with pro-Polisario mercenaries, referring to them as "fighters for self-determination." More concerning was her public call for Morocco to sever diplomatic ties with Israel, claiming that "normalization is a betrayal," as if she were speaking for the Moroccan populace at large.

Such statements have drawn widespread condemnation in Morocco, highlighting an arrogant and paternalistic attitude. A European parliamentarian presuming to dictate the diplomatic direction of a sovereign nation lacks both mandate and legitimacy.

Hassan presents herself as an unwavering defender of human rights. Yet, her activism appears selective, as she conveniently omits any mention of violations occurring in the Tindouf camps, controlled by the Polisario, where thousands endure dire conditions for decades.

This conspicuous silence reveals much. For Hassan, human rights seem to lose their universality when they contradict her ideological alliances with circles close to the Algerian regime or the separatist front.

In January 2025, Hassan reportedly made an unofficial visit to a Moroccan village, engaging in charitable activities with children. This initiative, not communicated through diplomatic channels, sparked significant backlash, with many viewing it not as a mere humanitarian gesture but as a strategic move to enhance her image as a benevolent activist while continuing her hostile rhetoric against Morocco on the international stage.

Supporting Palestine should never be criminalized. However, weaponizing this cause to launch targeted political attacks against other states is not only disingenuous but perilous. Hassan does not merely criticize Morocco; she systematically portrays it as an adversary, manipulating humanitarian causes to undermine its sovereignty and diplomatic choices, while imposing a heavily biased ideological interpretation of reality.

In the face of such variable activism, it is crucial for democracies to remain vigilant. For behind grand rhetoric on justice often lurk murky political ambitions and well-orchestrated influence campaigns.