Morocco: MSF Report is Innacurate
By Mohamed Hikal
Morocco News Tribune
Taroudant, Morocco | In the first official statement made by Morocco in response to ‘Medecins Sans Frontiers’ criticism to Morocco inwhat the the international organization described ‘Morocco’s irresponsibility towards illegal immigrants rights’, an official in the interior ministry told Maghreb Arab Press that the MSF report didn’t mention that the Moroccan law put illegal immigrants on an equal legal footing with Moroccans.
The official added that the report didn’t point to the guarantees given to immigrants by the 1st of July constitution.
He confirmed also that the report ignored the efforts made by Morocco namely in the voluntary departure possibility which enable an immigrant to voluntarily leave the country in deportation proceedings and in conformity with human rights standards.
Besides, the official added that the MSF report deliberately made no mention of the guarantees given by the kingdom in sparing immigrants seeking asylum, pregnant immigrants and minors the trouble of getting deported.
Furthermore, the official pinpointed to the law 02-03, which is related to the entry and residence of aliens in the kingdom.
This law entitles an immigrant to appeal a court decision, make use of an attorney and interpretor and resort to consular assistance and services.
The same responsible added that the deportation proceedings are legal and they are applied in case an immigrant enters the country through a point other than the border centers authorized or the immigrants who overstay their visas.
At an earlier time Medecins Sans Frontiers organization criticized the violations committed by Morocco against illegal immigrants and and called for Rabat and Madrid to take measures in order to protect immigrants rights.