Morocco a “Leading African Country in terms of Respect of Human Rights”

By Zineb Louh

RABAT - Following the recent media attention regarding the ill-treatment of sub-Saharan immigrants by the Moroccan police, the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), submitted a comprehensive report to King Mohammed VI for assessment.

The report shed light on immigrants’ situation in Morocco and offered the necessary measures to be taken by the government in order to provide suitable living conditions for foreigners in irregular administrative status (i.e. undocumented migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, etc). Hence, the Royal cabinet released a statement in which the king confirmed that the immigration problem should not only be approached in a legal manner, but also in a humane one.

These last years, the number of sub-Saharan immigrants in Morocco has significantly increased. And due to its developing economy, the North African kingdom cannot host and create job opportunities for all of them whilst the country is struggling to provide jobs for its own youth. Therefore, the CNDH mentioned in its report that international motivation and cooperation is vital. The council stated that the economic and social constraints are heavy on a country like Morocco.  Therefore,the immigration question should be included as one of the priorities of the immigration partnership with the EU.

The King’s action on immigration reform is affirmation that Morocco’s priorities lie first with the well-being of its inhabitants. The Monarch acknowledged that now the country is a land where immigrants may settle and establish a life—whether from Europe or the African continent. Thus, as the make-up of society changes, the laws and regulations concerning the stay of foreigners should reflect that

This royal initiative was highly praised by Mr. Gilles Pargneaux Chairman of the Morocco-EU friendship group at the European Parliament, who confirmed that Morocco is a leading African country in terms of respect of Human Rights.

As for the claims that sub-Saharan immigrants are deliberately mistreated by the police, the CNDH asserted that they are not targeted with any type of systematic violence. Morocco, like many other nations, still struggles with integrating new cultures and nationalities into society, there will be setbacks to changing the status quo—change does not occur in an instant, it is a process.

Edited by Nadia Elboubakri