The US State Department has published its annual report on the situation of nearly 200 countries, facing different forms of human trafficking. Morocco, which recently received a US delegation on this issue, is ranked higher than its North African neighbors.
The US State Department published in July a report on the situation of 196 of the 197 countries recognized by the United Nations (UN), facing different forms of human trafficking.
Morocco, which ratified the Palermo Convention in 2002, was mentioned in the US State Department ranking for countries according to their efforts, based on data provided by each country, and comparing them with the previous year.
From best to worst, the ranking follows a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2 Watch List and Tier 3 criteria. However, four countries are in a category of their own, titled “special cases.”
The Moroccan government does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making considerable efforts to do so,” said the State Department.
Morocco is increasing arrests and convictions to counter the phenomenon, in addition to “international training for relevant authorities,” the US State Department reports. However, since 2018, few victims have been identified.
In 2021, Morocco has identified 169 victims, compared to 441 in 2020. 116 are victims of sex trafficking and 12 of forced labor. Of these victims, 79 are minors.
Despite the lack of standard procedures, 20 victims of sex trafficking were referred to state shelters, while 54 others received various forms of support, such as housing assistance, medical care, residence permits, and family reunification.
The pandemic has forced the justice system slow down the processing of ongoing cases, as between 2020 and 2021, the State Department reports a 34% increase in pending cases.
Government figures show 85 investigations in trafficking cases, including 116 suspects, 10 of whom were suspected of slavery and 20 in unspecified forms of trafficking related to irregular migration. A total of 111 of these individuals were prosecuted, up from 69 in 2020.
In 2019 the Ministry of Family, Solidarity and Social Inclusion has strengthened its child protection system. Between its launch and 2021, the program assisted 142 potential victims with shelter, education, psychological support and more. In the year 2021, 910 children living on the streets of Casablanca, Meknes, and Tangier were helped.
This Wednesday, Hicham Mallati, chairman of the National Commission for the Coordination of Measures to Combat and Prevent Human Trafficking and director of criminal affairs and amnesty at the Ministry of Justice, received Brian Marcus, deputy director of the Office of Oversight and Counter Trafficking in Persons at the US Department of State.
The occasion was an opportunity for Morocco to present its experience in combating and preventing human trafficking, as well as its efforts in this regard.
While Morocco still has work to do before it is elevated to Tier 1 status, the country is doing better than its North African neighbors.
Since 2015, Algeria’s ranking has fluctuated between Tier 2 Watch List (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022) and Tier 3 (2015, 2016, 2020, 2021).
Mauritania, despite its current Tier 2 Watch List ranking, is in constant evolution. From 2015 to 2019, it was among the countries with the worst human trafficking situation. Since 2020, Mauritania has maintained its Tier 2 Watch List ranking.
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