Motion for a resolution | Doc. 13426 | 05 February 2014

Morocco: meeting new migration and asylum challenges

Signatories: Ms Tineke STRIK, Netherlands, SOC ; Mr Deniz BAYKAL, Turkey, SOC ; Ms Sílvia Eloïsa BONET PEROT, Andorra, SOC ; Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN, Norway, SOC ; Mr Michael CONNARTY, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Eirini DOUROU, Greece, UEL ; Ms Maria GIANNAKAKI, Greece, SOC ; Mr Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino, SOC ; Ms Angeliki GKEREKOU, Greece, SOC ; Mr Andreas GROSS, Switzerland, SOC ; Mr Ögmundur JÓNASSON, Iceland, UEL ; Mr Tiny KOX, Netherlands, UEL ; Mr Luca LAZZARI, San Marino, UEL ; Mr Thierry MARIANI, France, EPP/CD ; Ms Vesna MARJANOVIĆ, Serbia, SOC ; Sir Alan MEALE, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Stanislav POLČÁK, Czech Republic, EPP/CD ; Mr Luc RECORDON, Switzerland, SOC ; Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria, SOC ; Ms Maria Edera SPADONI, Italy, NR ; Mr Björn von SYDOW, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Konstantinos TRIANTAFYLLOS, Greece, SOC ; Ms Dana VÁHALOVÁ, Czech Republic, SOC ; Mr Snorre Serigstad VALEN, Norway, UEL ; Mr Eric VORUZ, Switzerland, SOC ; Mr Klaas de VRIES, Netherlands, SOC ; Ms Katrin WERNER, Germany, UEL

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

In June 2011, the Parliament of Morocco was granted partner for democracy status by the Parliamentary Assembly.

Morocco has taken important steps forward on its democratic road, including in adopting a new Constitution. On its democratic path it has to face many new challenges, including in relation to migration and asylum. Morocco is no longer only a country of origin for migrants, but also increasingly a destination country and the management of migration is a cause of concern in the country and a growing challenge.

Morocco, as with many new countries of destination, faces responsibilities on integrating migrants, including dealing with issues such as discrimination and access to services, housing and social rights. Morocco is also facing an increasing number of asylum seekers and it is currently looking for ways how to deal with these persons and how to ensure that their rights are respected and that they receive international protection where relevant. It has already made some important legislative and organisational steps.

The Assembly should therefore share its experience on migration and asylum with Morocco by examining the migration and asylum challenges faced by the country and then assisting the Moroccan Parliament, Government and civil society, to deal with these challenges.