Mohammed VI forwards the establishment of a well-based migration policy

By African Bulletin on September 10, 2013

The King Mohammed VI has chaired on Tuesday at the Royal Palace of Casablanca, a working session in the presence of the Head of Government and several ministers and senior officials to discuss the issue of immigration in the Kingdom with the view to devising a new comprehensive migration policy, said a statement from the King’s Office.

Stressing the increasing of foreign migration either from sub-Saharan countries, or from Spain, France and other European countries – as an side effect of the international economic crisis-, the Sovereign has reiterated the need to regularize the situation of people in terms of residence and the activities they perform, as well as legal immigrants of other nationalities, including sub-Saharan immigrants.” .The statement said.

Concerning the hosting conditions of legal immigrants, including their legal access to employment opportunities, decent living conditions and economic and social integration, the Kingdom of Morocco cannot accommodate all migrants wishing to settle there, the source said.

However, the number of illegal immigrants is significantly increasing, mostly from the East and the South. In addition, certain groups of illegal migrants force their way into the Moroccan territory, which causes casualties among the police and migrants, the statement of the King’s Office added.

“If the management of the issue of illegal immigration witnesses sometimes certain isolated abuses, there is no systematic use of violence by the police. Hence, Morocco denies all false claims that attempt to undermine its reputation,” the statement said.

“In this regard, the same source added that the King “ had repeatedly given his instructions to the competent authorities to ensure the respect the rights of migrants, to comply strictly with the law in their treatment without discrimination, and to provide assistance to those wishing to return to their country, ” adding that “the Sovereign also stressed the need to relentlessly pursue the fight against trafficking, and human trafficking networks.”

“During the same meeting, His Majesty the King gave his orders to the Government to immediately devise and implement a strategy and an appropriate action plan in coordination with the CNDH and the various stakeholders, with a view to devising a comprehensive policy on immigration,” the statement noted.

“The sovereign states that such a move will endow the Kingdom with the right tools to play a prominent and an active role in the regional and international scene in terms of migration management,” the statement said, stressing that “the Royal Initiative, which is part of the deep welcoming traditions of the Kingdom, reflects the constant involvement of the sovereign for the protection of human rights in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the requirements of the rule of law, and in accordance with Morocco’s international commitments.”

The meeting takes place as the National Council for Human Rights ( CNDH) issued a report calling for the implementation of a more proactive public policy measures to defend the rights of migrants. A report which King Mohammed VI has quickly acknowledged, citing “legitimate concerns “on this social issue.

The CNDH unveiled yesterday 9 September in a report, approved by the King, entitled ” Foreign migrants and Human Rights in Morocco: For refugee’s and migration radically new policy.”

And to address the misuse of some individual incidents and sporadic abuses against African migrants, by Morocco’s opponent parties, the Moroccan monarch has address urgently this high priority on the horizon to improve the mechanics of reception and care of permanent or temporary migrants, without prejudice to Morocco’s commitment in the fight against illegal immigration

The blessing of the report on human rights by the king responds according to his desire to strengthen the foundations of a healthy and strong foundation of modernity and democracy in Morocco , consistent with its values and history of the nation , and conforms to its commitments in the respect of universal values.

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