Contact: Masiky, 202-578-2014

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2013 /Standard Newswire/ -- HM King Mohammed VI chaired a ministerial meeting on Tuesday at the Royal Palace in Casablanca with the presence of the Prime Minster and senior officials to discuss the issue of immigration in the Kingdom in light of the Council for Human Rights (CNDH) publication of a thematic report on the situation of immigrants and refugees in Morocco.

After reviewing the CNDH findings and recommendations, HM the King called for an overhaul of the nation's migration policy with emphasis on protecting the rights of migrants. The Monarch efforts and the council's work underscore the Kingdom's diligence in the management of its migration laws and the promotion and protection of human rights of immigrants.

During this session, His Majesty acknowledged that Morocco has become a host country for migrants adding that the number of illegal immigrants has significantly increased.

To insure the passage and implementation of meaningful immigration policies and regulations, The Sovereign reiterated the need to regularize the status of migrants, including sub-Saharan immigrants, by granting them legal residency and thus helping them integrate the job market.

On the enforcement front, the Sovereign stressed the need to relentlessly pursue the fight against people trafficking and human smuggling networks.

The King concluded the session by urging the Government to immediately devise a strategy and an action plan in coordination with CNDH and domestic and international civic organizations to hasten the implementation of a universal immigration policy to assist and improve the lives of all immigrants.