Thanks to the enlightened vision of HM King Mohammed VI, Morocco has implemented a new migration policy since 2013, based on a humanistic, coherent, and global approach.

Morocco relies in this sense on the fundamental principles enshrined in its constitution. Article 30 stipulates that "foreigners enjoy the fundamental freedoms recognized for Moroccan citizens, in accordance with the law. Those who reside in Morocco can participate in local elections by virtue of the law, the application of international conventions or practices of reciprocity".

This strategy is based on a participatory approach which has made it possible to achieve the four main objectives, which are to facilitate the integration of legal immigrants, upgrade the regulatory framework, set up an appropriate institutional framework, and manage migratory flows with respect for human rights.

The importance of this action is also expressed through various programs that relate to key areas, including education, health, housing, and social assistance.

On the legal level, in addition to Law No. 02-03 relating to the entry and stay of foreigners in the Kingdom of Morocco, there was, on the one hand, the adoption in 2016 of Law No. 27- 14 relating to the fight against trafficking in human beings, and on the other hand, the adoption in 2018 of decree no. 2-17-740 setting the composition and operating procedures of the national commission responsible for coordinating aimed at combating and preventing human trafficking.

Morocco’s king is the African Leader on the issue of migration

On the continental level, His Majesty King Mohammed VI is designated by his peers African Heads of State as the leader of the African continent in migration issues. Morocco presented at the 30th summit of the Union Africa, held in January 2018 in Addis Ababa, an "African Agenda for Migration" which redefines migration on the basis of a more positive approach and concrete political will of States.

On the other hand, at the international level, Morocco is a signatory of the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees, it is a member of the IOM, and of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR since 1979. Morocco is also a founder and active member of the Rabat Process, launched in 2006 with more than sixty African and European partner countries whose objectives relate to cooperation between the countries concerned by the migratory routes between Africa and Europe, and the promotion and development of migration policies.

The Marrakech Pact on Migration adopted in 2018, meanwhile, represents the roadmap for better management of migration phenomena with the strengthening of the use of legal migration channels, the protection of migrants' rights, and new investment for development.

Rabat and Brussels reinvigorate their Migration management commitment

The European Commission and Morocco launched a renewed partnership on migration and the fight against human trafficking networks, particularly following the emergence of new extremely violent methods of operation adopted by these criminal networks.

For the EU, the kingdom of Morocco is a committed and responsible partner. It is a strategic player for Europe thanks to its humanist and supportive migratory governance. Both Morocco and Europe Union are very aware of the international challenge context and the dangers caused by human traffickers’ networks. For the above reasons, the two sides have decided to reinvigorate the migratory cooperation with mutual responsibility.

The revision of the commitment of the two Rabat and Brussels comes just after the violent and planned assault by African migrants in Nador to pass forcefully to the city of Meililia, in which a group of African immigrants armed with White weapons and stones attacked the border authorities which led to a number of deaths and injuries on the immigrants and Moroccan border forces.

The new model will work to develop a new strategy to fight the criminal network of smugglers and try to define new ways to overcome the complexity of the illegal migration phenomenon, in total respect to the imperative alliance between Rabat, Madrid, and Brussels.

These events, which have tested the traditional mechanisms for combating human trafficking, demonstrate the extreme danger and violence of human trafficking networks that are ready to take all risks.

Morocco, which deplored this human tragedy, was quick to reaffirm its commitment to continue to act firmly and relentlessly against trafficking networks and this violent minority that distorts the noble dimension of migration.

Morocco and Brussels Immigration Strategic Commitment

The figures show that there are more than 145 assaults have been repelled in the cities of Sebta and Mellilia since 2016 (50 in 2021 and 12 until May 2022). The Moroccan authorities have dismantled more than 1,300 trafficking networks in the last 5 years, and they have aborted more than 360,000 irregular emigration attempts since 2017.

The European Union recognizes the effort deployed by the kingdom of Morocco, and they qualify it as a "strategic and committed partner" of the EU. The European institutions work together with the Kingdom to promote an operational partnership to fight people trafficking and support for border management, giving more impetus to police cooperation including joint investigation and awareness of irregular migration dangers. In addition to the strengthening of cooperation with European Union agencies for home affairs.

The two partners will be able to rely on the National Strategy for Immigration and Asylum (NSIA), which today constitutes one of the most advanced migration management models, both legislatively and institutionally. Thanks to this strategy they have managed to regularize the administrative situation of huge numbers of migrants and they get integrated into the Moroccan society.

Thanks to the framework of NSIA, about 50,000 nationals of brotherly and friendly African countries have been able to regularize their administrative situation in Morocco. The aim of the operation is to facilitate labor mobility, family reunification, and professional integration. It does rely on very flexible eligibility criteria and the means of appeal under the aegis of the National Council of Human Rights.