Last Thursday, Rabat hosted an unprecedented study meeting, organized by the Socialist-Ittihadie Opposition Group in the House of Representatives, in partnership with the Prometheus Institute and the Civil Council for the Fight against All Forms of Discrimination (CCLD).
The objective: to take stock of the first ten years of the National Immigration and Asylum Strategy (SNIA) adopted by Morocco in 2014, identify its strengths and weaknesses and propose solutions to address the challenges that persist. More than a simple assessment, this meeting was a moment of collective reflection, an opportunity to adjust course and consolidate the Kingdom’s place as a regional leader in migration governance.
For the Socialist Group,
the results of the first decade of the SNIA are not
not an end in itself, but a starting point for
build an even stronger migration policy
ambitious, more inclusive and more exemplary
The subject has never been so crucial. While migratory dynamics are redefining relations between the countries of the South and the North, Morocco stands out for its geographical position and its proactive approach. Formerly a simple crossing point to Europe, the Kingdom has transformed into a welcoming country. Abderrahim Chahid, president of the Ittihadie Socialist-Opposition Group, opened the debates by recalling the scope of this transformation. “Morocco, once a simple crossing point for African migrants on their way to Europe, is today a welcoming destination,” he declared during his speech. “This transformation is essentially based on the establishment of a modernized legal framework, in line with international human rights conventions, as stipulated in the Moroccan Constitution of 2011,” he said.
The member of the USFP Political Bureau particularly insisted on “the multidimensional character of the SNIA”. In addition to the management of migratory flows, it includes concrete measures to promote the integration of migrants into Moroccan society. “This includes access to education, health care and the labor market. However, this commitment is accompanied by a major imperative: balancing national security needs with respect for the human rights of migrants,” he said, before recalling “that in 2014 and 2017, regularization campaigns have enabled thousands of people to obtain legal status. “An approach welcomed by international organizations, but which requires rigorous monitoring to guarantee real inclusion,” said Chahid.
Yasmine Boutayeb, member of the Prometheus Institute, for her part, underlined the importance of this meeting to evaluate the ten years of implementation of the SNIA. “We cannot move forward without a critical look at our journey. This assessment is essential, not to celebrate, but to better prepare for the future,” she declared, before highlighting the issues linked to the economic integration of migrants, an area where the potential remains immense. “Morocco has chosen to make migration an opportunity and not a burden,” she explained. However, she also insisted on the key role of the socio-economic integration of migrants to guarantee the success of this policy. “Migration, when well managed, can be a source of wealth, both economic and cultural. Morocco has a unique opportunity to demonstrate this truth to the world,” she said, while welcoming the Kingdom’s ambition to combine humanitarian principles and economic opportunities.
Throughout the meeting, several speakers recalled the significant progress made by the SNIA. Malika Zakhnini, MP for the Ittihadie Socialist-Opposition Group, notably highlighted the historic transformations that Morocco has experienced thanks to this strategy. “The geographical positioning of the Kingdom makes it a central player in the migration issue and its efforts to align its national laws with international standards are laudable,” she said. However, she also emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the strengths and limitations of this experiment. The elected Ittihadie notably called for a global assessment. “A decade is a sufficient period to identify the strengths and weaknesses of this strategy. We must be able to correct the shortcomings and anticipate future challenges,” she noted, before noting that “the challenges are numerous: among them, the lack of cooperation with the countries of origin of migrants is often cited as a major obstacle to effective management of migratory flows. “A migration policy cannot succeed without reinforced international coordination,” she insisted. And he added that “the fight against organized crime, human trafficking and even smuggling networks poses complex problems.” “In this context, the need for a balance between national security and respect for human rights becomes imperative,” concluded the Ittihadie activist.
If the participants in this meeting unanimously welcomed the progress made, they also emphasized the urgency of acting in the face of structural challenges. Economic pressures, inadequacies in the legislative framework and the need for better coordination between stakeholders are among the priorities identified. Morocco, by adopting a humanist and proactive approach, has already demonstrated its capacity to innovate. But as Yasmine Boutayeb reminded us, “the sustainability of this policy will depend on our ability to adapt to changing realities and meet the expectations of migrants, without compromising our values”.
Beyond the challenges, this meeting also made it possible to lay the foundations for a more ambitious and sustainable migration strategy. Abderrahim Chahid spoke of the need to create a thematic commission dedicated to the evaluation of Moroccan migration policy. This structure would have the mission of carrying out an institutional analysis of the achievements and shortcomings of the SNIA, while proposing concrete recommendations to the authorities. “The debates raised during this meeting will result in a series of clear recommendations. We will bring these proposals before the government, through legislative initiatives and parliamentary questions,” he noted.
“It is only together, government, civil society and citizens, that we can build an exemplary migration policy,” he insisted, before recalling that “this assessment of the first decade of the SNIA is not not an end in itself, but a starting point for building an even more ambitious, more inclusive and more exemplary migration policy.” Because, according to Chahid, “real success does not lie in immediate results, but in the ability to build a future where humanity and dignity take precedence over all other considerations”.
Mehdi Ouassat
