UNICEF: Morocco, a model in child protection in the region

Director general of the United Nations for Children- UNICEF in the Middle-East and North-Africa said "Morocco is a model in child protection in the region."

It is a country that broke taboos and launched action to fight child labor, sexual exploitation and other problems that remain hidden phenomena in many countries, said Tom Dermott, who started Tuesday a visit in Morocco to assess the Morocco-UNICEF cooperation program.

He will be meeting Moroccan officials including minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, health minister, Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah and adviser to king Mohammed VI and chief of the National Observatory of Children's Rights, Zoulikha Nasri.

Dermott's visit, to last until July 17, will take him to the northern province of Chefchaouen for talks with local partners and to examine projects underway in the region, the UN body said in a release.

Morocco-UNICEF cooperation, which dates back to the 50's, made remarkable successes, like in the national vaccination scheme.

The release goes on that Morocco has made significant progress in harmonizing legislation with children rights and elaboration of the national action plan titled "A Morocco worthy of its children," which evidences the interest the kingdom grants application of UN recommendations.