Morocco adopts a humanist philosophy of migration management

1. A humanist approach to migration
2. South-North Regional Charter 2023
3. Pioneers in the management of migratory flows

As Khalid Zerouali, director of Migration and Border Surveillance at the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior, recently pointed out in Rabat, the country has adopted a humanised approach to global border governance that places the migrant at the centre of all programmes and initiatives launched in this area. 

At the round table organised by the National Migration Observatory on the subject of ‘Humanised border management: from managing vulnerabilities to promoting opportunities’, Zerouali stated that ‘migration is a highly complex issue due to the geostrategic, political, socio-economic, diplomatic, health and security challenges that make it an important factor in international relations and regional and subregional cooperation’. 

A humanist approach to migration

Morocco has adopted a new migration policy based on a humanist, coherent and global approach that respects the provisions of international law and multilateral cooperation. A stance that goes beyond the classical approach to put the notion of borders at the service of development and prosperity, through economic integration and regional cooperation.

This policy took shape in 2014 and 2016 with two operations to regularise the situation of foreigners in Morocco without the correct documentation, to guarantee better integration of migrants and better management of migratory flows. The specificity of the Moroccan approach, based on inclusivity and humanism, also lies in the real geostrategic initiative to favour access of the Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean. 

The objectives pursued by the Moroccan government with this humanised approach to border management are: 

• To address risks and vulnerabilities. 
• To map and visualise flows and profiles. 
• To strengthen border management and territorial security. 
• Provide effective responses, particularly in terms of protecting the victims of migrant smuggling networks and human trafficking networks. 
• Review the national legislative framework to ensure its compatibility with the provisions of the Constitution, and with relevant international standards and conventions. 
• Accompany the different stages of the migrant's journey, from the first contact and the identification of vulnerabilities to integration.

It is an innovative, broad, unprecedented and comprehensive concept in the field of humanised border management. It is a process that accompanies the migrant in his or her life project until the end, offering him or her the opportunity to develop his or her skills and become a vector of wealth and diversity for Moroccan society.

South-North Regional Charter 2023

The real vision in the field of migration makes inclusion and openness two fundamental pillars of migration governance in Morocco, which defends this humanist migration management before its partners, to achieve broad adherence in the process. 

In order to adopt an adequate governance of the migration issue, Morocco proposed, in 2023, the South-North Regional Charter for humanised border management, which is being implemented in a realistic and efficient manner through discussions and reflection with all its partners.

Thus, on 30 January in Rabat, during the round table organised by the National Migration Observatory, Laura Palatini, head of mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Morocco, underlined that ‘Morocco is distinguished by an inclusive and innovative approach, within the framework of the Euro-African dialogue on migration and development’.

Palatini recalled how the Moroccan initiative of the Regional Charter on the Humanised Management of Borders has made it possible to strengthen cooperation between countries of the South and the North. 

In addition, the Charter has placed Morocco at the forefront of countries that have adopted a humanitarian approach to border management, in order to better respond to contemporary migration challenges and anticipate risks. The objectives of the Charter include: 

• Strengthen border management in an integrated manner and in accordance with international standards. 
• Effectively combat human trafficking. 
• Transform migration challenges into opportunities for human and economic development. 
• Consolidate cooperation with Morocco's international partners. 
• Facilitate the integration of migrants. 
• Strengthen the institutions in charge of managing migration flows.

Pioneers in the management of migratory flows

Morocco is considered a pioneering model at international level in the management of migratory flows, thanks to its national strategy on immigration and asylum, based on the protection of human rights in general and the rights of migrants in particular.

In the face of the global migration problem affecting different countries, in 2013 the country launched its global, inclusive, supportive and humanist immigration and asylum strategy, which calls for the humanisation of migration management at all levels.

In parallel, Morocco also launched the National Plan to Combat and Prevent Human Trafficking 2023-2030, as a reference mechanism for the protection of victims of human trafficking, which is part of the consolidation of the country's acquis in the field of migration and the protection of human rights.

In this sense, Morocco has shelters for victims of human trafficking, which provide them with psychological, medical and legal support. These centres are located in Tangiers and Fez, with a capacity for 35 people each, and they work towards the integration of the victims into society or are responsible for ensuring their voluntary return to their countries of origin.