Morocco’s Migration Policy and History of Hosting Migrants, Refugees Highlighted in Australia

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The Ambassador of HM the King in Australia Karim Medrek highlighted the leading role of Morocco in the field of migration, being the first country in the Middle East and Africa region to have adopted a new immigration policy based on a humane, integrated and comprehensive approach. Speaking at the “Sound of Terra”, an event co-hosted by Liverpool City Council, Mindarie Regional Council Western Australia, and the Sumer Association, as part of the Refugee week celebration, Medrek recalled that the Kingdom, beyond being a country of transit, has become a land for African and sub-Saharan migrants. He stressed the ongoing commitment of HM King Mohammed VI in favor of improving the living conditions of many migrants, particularly Africans, who have found refuge, stability, and adequate living conditions in Morocco, enjoying the history of hospitality, mutual help, and solidarity of the Kingdom towards refugees. Medrek highlighted the main pillars of the national strategy of immigration and asylum, which comprises four strategic objectives, namely the facilitation of the integration of legal immigrants, the upgrading of the regulatory framework, the implementation of an appropriate institutional framework, and the management of migration inflows respectful of human rights. Referring to the Moroccan experience in socio-economic integration of refugees, the diplomat highlighted the role of public-private partnership in the socio-economic integration of refugees in Morocco, recalling the various partnerships signed to promote access of refugees to vocational training, employment, the creation of cooperatives, and the status of self-employed. The diplomat said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Morocco has carried out, jointly with UNHCR, two important actions, including the comprehensive assessment of the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on refugees and the sealing of a partnership agreement to facilitate access to special health care for asylum seekers and refugees.