Morocco pleads 'sustainable solution' to illegal emigration

Morocco pleaded Tuesday for a "sustainable solution" to illegal emigration, saying "migration should be addressed in a global and integrated approach" based on openness, cooperation and shared responsibility.

Illegal emigration is among the serious problems facing the North African country as thousands of Moroccans and Sub-Saharans try every year to clandestinely cross to Europe. An increasing number of Sub-Saharans are currently using Morocco as a transit in their illegal attempt to enter Europe. Many of them end up staying illegally in the country when they fail to reach Europe.

Jalila Hoummane of Morocco's mission in Geneva told the 61st session of the Human Rights Commission that her country is making significant efforts to fight this kind of emigration.

Morocco, Hoummane pointed out, is among the countries most affected by illegal migration given its geographic location and closeness to Europe. Consequently, she said, Rabat has adopted a global approach that integrates legal, institutional, security, social and economic aspects, and has made of the crackdown on criminal networks a top priority.

The diplomat recalled in particular the creation of two institutions, namely Migration and Border Surveillance Directorate and the Migration Observatory that are tasked with pondering strategies to stop the illegal migration flow.

Such moves, she said, have allowed to decrease of the number of Moroccan and foreign illegal emigrants.

In 2004, Rabat aborted over 26,000 attempts of illegal emigration and dismantled 423 human smuggling networks.

The diplomat pointed out that dismantled human smuggling networks have increased by 33 percent.