[symple_box]Mr. Hazelwood is a human rights activist and often writes about topics relating to governance and human rights. [/symple_box]
June 20th every year marks World Refugee Day. According to the United Nations, one in every 122 human beings is either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum.
Millions of families have fled their homes to escape war and human right abuses. At the end of 2014, 59.5 million persons were forcibly displaced around the world – the highest number on record. This number shows that 42,500 people became refugees every single day! And this number shows that the rate of displaced persons has quadrupled in only four years. At the same time, many long-standing conflicts remained unresolved and the number of refugees who were able to return home last year was the lowest in over three decades.
At times like these, it is essential that Governments and societies around the world recommit to providing refuge and safety to those who have lost everything to escape war and human rights abuses.
In 2013, Morocco implemented reforms to its policies on migrants, granting temporary legal status to hundreds of refugees and to thousands of other foreigners, most of which are sub-Saharan. In this instance, I endorse the courageous and responsible decisions by the Moroccan government, which demonstrates their commitment to provide safety and refuge and to promote peace to the benefit to all who live in Morocco, Moroccans or not.
According to Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2015, implementation continued of a 2013 plan to overhaul national policies toward migrants. Morocco’s refugee agency granted one-year renewable residency permits to more than 500 UNHCR-recognized refugees. At the time of this writing, Morocco had not determined the status it would grant to more than 1,300 Syrians, whom UNHCR recognizes as refugees.
Morocco also granted one-year renewable residency permits to thousands of sub-Saharan migrants who were not asylum-seekers but who met the criteria. However, security forces continued to use excessive force on migrants, especially the mostly sub-Saharan migrants who were camping near, or attempting to scale, the fence separating Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Melilla.
When discussing the topic of Moroccan refugee policy. I, at the same time, must commend but also condemn the Moroccan government. I commend because one must give credit where credit is due. The Moroccan government has made smart and fair decisions concerning migrant policy. However, I must condemn because Morocco can do better. Reformations to Morocco’s 2011 constitution which incorporated strong human rights provisions have not led to improved practices.
Suffering anywhere concerns people everywhere. This statement is clearly true from the millions of refugees and asylum-seekers around the world. For example, a war in Syria has brought 1,300 Syrian refugees to Morocco.
We must demand that Governments commit to action. An agenda must be developed that addresses these human rights violations that displace tens-of-millions of people every year, 42,500 everyday!
Moroccans should call upon their Government to commit to action; to increase their efforts to respect and protect human rights; and to make a clear effort to support further progress for human rights. I, as an American living in Morocco, am also calling on the Moroccan government. Because, remember, suffering anywhere concerns people everywhere. It concerns me, and it concerns you.
[symple_box]Please Note that the views expressed in all opinions on The Moroccan Times are the authors’s own and do not reflect The Moroccan Times editorial policy.[/symple_box]
