Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Blog
1: Morocco Unveils new migration policy after criticism
On Wednesday this week it was reported that Morocco
has announced a new immigration policy as it has recently come under intense
criticism over the treatment of illegal migrants involving violence. They have
pledged to review specific cases based on the requirements of immigration after
it has been reported that there has been mistreatment of sub-Saharan migrants. It
was known that three days prior to this announcement the Moroccan National Human
Rights Council had called for a review of the asylum policies.
Morocco is currently a key smuggling port for
migrants seeking to reach Europe as it is situated 15kms (9miles) from Spain,
it is separated by the Strait of Gibraltar which makes a perfect opportunity for
boats to go across the Strait.
In the past couple of months it has been predicted
that roughly 20000 sub-Saharan illegal migrants are residing in Morocco which
has seen them fall victim to racist violence. King Mohamed VI has come back
with the statement that he has “legitimate concerns” over the mistreatment of
the immigrants.
There have been reports of racist violence which saw
in July this year, a Congolese University professor pushed off a bus by an
officer to the Algerian border where he was reported to have died. In August
this year, it was also reported that a Senegalese man was stabbed to death at
the central bus station in Rabat. These are just a few examples of the
tragedies that are occurring in Morocco.
This latest announcement about the change in policy
has the aim of processing requests “in line with international standards and
respectful of the Kingdoms commitments to promote and protect human rights”.
The Moroccan government whilst they still want to improve the situation they
find themselves in, they still want to crack down on trafficking and are
seeking Europe’s concrete commitment to support the policy.
In this day and age, our world has become smaller;
people are moving all over the place. The fact that we have this article
telling us that all the way over in Africa there is racist violence occurring is
quite sad and depressing hearing the reports of these attacks. It is a positive
that the government has pledged to improve this but it is definitely a dark day
on humanity when officials are attacking people who are seeking help. The more
awareness about this massive injustice the better we can improve the human
rights around the world.
James Dougherty
9/12/13
5:50pm
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