Morocco Co-Sponsors in Geneva Launch of New Training Materials on Human Rights of Migrants at International Borders

Morocco co-sponsored on Monday in Geneva the launch of new training material on human rights for migrants at international borders, a document developed at the initiative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOCT) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The co-sponsorship by Morocco of this event, alongside Switzerland, Denmark and Mexico, is part of the commitment of the Kingdom in the process of developing the said guide, explained the Permanent Representative of Morocco in Geneva, Ambassador Omar Zniber. This capacity-building tool for border officials was developed based on the OHCHR human rights training methodologies and complements the OHCHR recommended guidelines on rights at international borders. It seeks to help member states “ensure human rights-based, gender-sensitive border governance,” especially since “border officials are often the first to provide assistance and protection to people in vulnerable situations.” In his speech, Zniber recalled Morocco’s contribution to the development of this training material entitled “Human Rights at International Borders: a Trainer’s Guide”, through the hosting of the regional workshop in Casablanca in 2018. The ambassador stressed the importance of multilateral and bilateral cooperation through training programs to manage the various situations related to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, in full respect of human rights. He also highlighted Morocco’s efforts in managing the migration issue, as well as the Kingdom’s commitment to the multidimensional approach and the principles of shared responsibility in this area. “The inauguration, in Rabat, last June, of the UN Program Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa, is a practical contribution to the achievement of efforts to protect migrants and refugees against criminal and terrorist networks,” he said. He noted that nearly 3 years after the adoption of the Global Compact on Migration in Marrakech, “this important international material has generated a positive momentum to advance not only our Common Agenda on Migration but also to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. The launch of this material took place during a meeting organized with the participation of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, the Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office against Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, as well as representatives of member states, international organizations, human rights institutions, and civil society organizations.