The scourge of the green card marriages
13 April 2013
Ahmed Assid versus Mahatma Ghandi
May 2, 2013
Isn't it time for this Moroccan awaited change of education?
23 February 2013
Sexual harassment in the Moroccan streets, who is to blame?
February 14, 2013
Moroccan singer Sarah K, an international Star of the Levant
March 19, 2013
New York, July 17, 2013 (map)
The UN Security Council adopted Tuesday a new presidential statement sponsored by Morocco on the Sahel region.
In the statement, read by during a formal meeting of Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo of the United States, which holds the Presidency of the body's 15 members for the month, the Council said it "role played by the Morocco and other countries of the Maghreb in the success" of the integrated strategy for the Sahel.
This declaration, which has been following the trial with another initiative taken during the Presidency of the Council Morocco in December 2012, Moroccan, reiterates its call 'for a cooperation increased between the countries of the Sahel, West Africa and North Africa to combat the growing threat pose by terrorist groups, transnational crime and drug trafficking in the region of the Sahel' and develop "inclusive and effective strategies" to combat these threats of "one". a comprehensive and integrated manner. »
Concerned by the alarming situation in the Sahel, where terrorist organizations, including Al-Qaïda in the Islamic Maghreb and the movement for unity and Jihad in Africa from the West, the Council of the United Nations reiterated its "strong condemnation" recent terrorist attacks perpetrated in the region and welcomed the deployment of the United Nations multidimensional integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)following the transfer of authority from the Mission to support International directed by Africans to Mali at MINUSMA on 1 July.
Also, the members of the Council welcomed the proposal put forward by the special envoy of the Secretary-General for the Sahel, Romano Prodi, to work in partnership with international and regional financial institutions responsible for promoting innovative approaches to the region and requested the Office of the United Nations for Africa (UNOWA) West to establish an effective and comprehensive coordination mechanism to prioritize activities and ensure the coordinated implementation by the United Nations system the strategy.
Conducive to economic and social development is necessary, as well as the strengthening of institutions States to secure long-term stability and development in the Sahel, the statement said, stressing the importance of a comprehensive and coordinated approach, security, humanitarian, human rights and aspects of development to address the root causes of challenges to peace and security and welcomed the development of the integrated strategy for the Sahelwhich focuses on the treatment of extremism, poverty and drought in the region.
It also welcomed the plans of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to hold a high-level meeting on the Sahel on the sidelines of the General Assembly and to visit the region, as well as the President of the World Bank, in the autumn.
By Erin Geneva
Morocco World News
Rabat, July 9, 2013
On the Eve of Ramadan, I can feel some anticipation in the air. The streets seem to be a little bit more crowded and the cafes a bit busier than usual. It is difficult to picture what tomorrow will be like, when these chattering, smoking men with their tea will be absent.
I have noticed the anticipation of Ramadan growing for the past week or so. Mostly I noticed this during my commute to and from work when I pass by the mosque. There seem to be more and more people going in to pray, and last Friday I noticed many more men spilling outside the mosque and spreading their rugs on the ground than usual.
As much as fasting all day, and especially foregoing water on this heat sounds less than pleasant to me, it seems that most Moroccans here are looking forward to Ramadan with anticipation and excitement.
Most people here seem to report that they are looking forward to Ramadan as a way to recommit themselves to God and also as an opportunity to purify their souls. They also say that Ramadan is a special time, a holy month and that they enjoy the fact that for one month of the year, spiritual fulfillment is collectively prioritized above all else. Some people have said that they look forward to Ramadan as an opportunity for a transformation of not only their soul, but also their bodies as they experience the physical and spiritual effects of the fast.
Many people are expressing that fasting, especially during the warmer seasons is a difficult task, but that this makes it all the more worthwhile, because it will make them stronger. They will be better able to discipline themselves, and fulfill their religious obligations. Many have said that the practice of fasting makes them more patient, self-controlled and pious. Many have also said to me that Ramadan is an exercise in showing solidarity with those who are less fortunate- a way to feel what poor people feel, so that they may become more compassionate people.
There are also those that have said they are looking forward to Ramadan from less of a religious perspective and are more excited about a shorter work day, and the delicious food that will be served at sunset. I have been told by many people that I should expect to gain weight during Ramadan.
Yet there are also those who have expressed their disappointment with this view. Some have said that instead of consuming less, and focusing on spiritual growth, many people actually consume more during Ramadan, and that some of the intended purpose of the holy month has been lost.
Nevertheless, it seems that overall, this Ramadan is something that most Moroccans are looking forward to with optimism. I commend all of their efforts to fasting, especially as the temperature rises and the days will be long. It will certainly be a challenge, and one that I’m sure will test yet enhance their patience and commitment to their faith.
Erin MacDonald, is a Canadian MA candidate. She grew up in Halifax Nova Scotia where she earned an Honours degree in Religious Studies from St. Mary’s University. She is now earning an MA in Dispute Resolution from the University of Victoria, British Columbia. She is currently fulfilling the internship requirement of her MA degree, working at La Voix de la Femme Amazighe in Rabat Morocco.
© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed
The scourge of green card marriages
April 13, 2013 Ahmed Assid versus Mahatma Ghandi
May 02, 2013 Isn’t It Time for that Long-Awaited Change in Moroccan Education?
February 23, 2013 Sexual harassment in Moroccan streets, who is to blame?
February 14, 2013 Moroccan Singer Sarah K, a Rising International Star
March 19, 2013
RABAT, July 09, 2013 (AFP)
Ministers from the Istiqlal party quit Morocco’s Islamist-led ruling coalition on Tuesday, a spokesman for the conservative party told AFP, threatening a government shakeup or snap elections.
“It’s official, our ministers have just presented their resignation to the head of the government (Abdelilah Benkirane),” Istiqlal spokesman Adil Benhamza said.
Of the six ministers from the party, only one, Education Minister Mohammed El-Ouafa, had yet to present his resignation by Tuesday evening. Benhamza said that if he failed to do so within 24 hours, “he will be excluded” from the party.
Istiqlal’s national council first threatened in May to quit the government over its failure to shore up the economy and solve pressing social problems.
Istiqlal held several ministerial posts, including education and the economy, and its withdrawal will force the moderate Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD) to find a new coalition partner or face early elections.
The PJD has led the government since it emerged as the largest party after elections in late 2011.
By Youssef Sourgo
Morocco World News
Casablanca, June 23, 2013
Premature marriage, child marriage and early marriage are all terms referring to the same social phenomenon. In many corners of the world, children are immersed into the cosmos of marital life before reaching the legal age, which is universally set at 18 years old. Such practice falls in the arena of human rights violations, and is condemned for stripping children of their basic rights and jeopardizing their psychological and physical safety.
Unsurprisingly, premature marriages mainly characterize phallocentric and traditional societies. Minor girls are thus the most, if not the only, ones affected by such illegal and oppressive practice. Their education is terminated as soon as a man proposes to marry them, and their marriages are arranged without their consent. A minor girl’s father and brother tend to be the major oppressive forces behind her consent in case she shows reluctance.
In Morocco, premature marriage is found in some parts of the Kingdom, especially in rural and remote areas, far from the protective lenses of human rights associations and governmental laws regulating marital life. Child marriage in Morocco is, for the most part, forced or arranged. This is to draw a distinction between the liberal, Western notion of premature marriages, in which both parties seem to decide out of love, and the other notion of premature marriage that is found in patriarchal societies. The consent of the children in forced marriages is not given any importance, and any reluctance from children is countered with coercion and violence.
In most cases, parents support premature marriage as both a financial investment and a social liberation, through which they rid themselves of a smothering responsibility towards their children. In Morocco, child marriage occurs at the expense of children’s most basic rights, namely education, a normal childhood, and, most importantly, the right to aspire and dream.
Studies reveal that the number one motive for urging a child to marry before the legal age is poverty. In Morocco, however, premature marriages also stem from the medieval traditions of regional subcultures. Some villages in Morocco even go to grant premature marriage some sort of a historical and patrimonial legitimacy. Wedding your child to someone in this case is considered a mere cultural practice in conformity with traditional customs and norms.
Though children consent to marry in some of those cases, their consent is not the result of a conscious and well-calculated decision, but rather an innocent reaction to something those children are socialized to consider very natural. Their consent in this case is not to be taken seriously, for the child in question is not fully aware of the aftermath, repercussions and risks of such a decision.
Children in Morocco marry even before puberty, and some girls experience pregnancy at very early ages. As a corollary, their physical health and sexual stability are sometimes severely affected. The striking breach between the ages of those involved in the marriage is beyond ridiculousness. In Morocco, some girls, still at the age of childish discovery, are handed over to adults aged 30 years old and more.
Statistics on premature marriages in Morocco are blurry and are still at the embryonic stage. The remoteness of those areas where such a practice is deemed normal demands rigorous efforts on the side of human rights monitors and governmental representatives. Some villages are almost unreachable. However, a report issued by the ministry of justice on 2010 unveiled an increase in the rate of premature marriages in Morocco (41,000 minor girls).
Even the basic legal procedures underlying normal marriages are neglected in child marriages in Morocco. Premature marriages in some villages in Morocco, where medieval traditions still prevail, are usually not legally documented and are grounded on a basic consent between parents. Thus, in case of divorce, no existing legal authority would compel a man to provide a divorced girl and her children with their basic rights.
In Tamalout, a village located in the province of Midelt, in the Moroccan economic region of Meknès-Tafilalet, child marriage is as customary as giving birth. All girls in the village who were questioned by the staff of the Moroccan TV Show, “Tahkik” (investigation in English), testified having been victims of forced, premature marriage.
“I was 18 when I first married my 13 years old wife,” a young man told Tahkik staff. Asked on the reasons behind marrying a minor girl, he replied, “That’s part of our tradition. You have to marry when you reach a certain age. We marry minor girls because the older ones are all married and divorced.”
According to his response, it is only the man’s age that is taken into account by agents behind premature marriages in those areas. A man has to marry when he reaches the legal age, whereas a girl’s age does not pose any issues for parents. A also has the authority to divorce and remarry whenever he pleases.
However, sometimes, both young men and minor girls seem to be victims of the same thing: medievalist, nonsensical traditions to which conservative parents still unexplainably cling. Though some elderly representatives of Tamalout village claim that they have repudiated such oppressive customs, the testimonies of the villages’ married minor girls and their realities proved the earlier claim false. Scarce are minor girls who escape to such ends in the village.
“Had I not been a student, I would have undoubtedly been compelled to marry,” a minor girl told Tahkik team. “I advise all girls my age not to marry and to pursue their studies regardless of the hindering circumstances,” added the girl..
Despite the existence of governmental laws that forbid child marriage under 18 years old, and despite an unwavering awareness of the existence of the phenomenon in some areas of Morocco, only meager efforts are put into practice to put an end to such anti-human rights practices. Until premature marriage and its repercussions are taken seriously, and until the lives of those minor girls, and their basic rights become of significance to law enforcers, child marriage will still prevail in some parts of Morocco, impeding the full respect and primacy of human rights in the Kingdom.
© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed
By Omar Bihmidine
Morocco World News
Sidi Ifni, June 23, 2013
A teacher was brutally attacked in El Jadida (100 km south of Casablanca) on Saturday by a student whom he was invigilating during the regional exams.
Members of Royal Gendarmerie intervened and arrested the student and placed him under the legal custody by order of the public prosecutor.
According to some sources from the school, the student punched the teacher in his left eye, nose and neck.
Mohamed Mansour, the assaulted teacher, was given a 22-day medical certificate and decided to take the student to court.
” Violence against teachers must stop. The government has to shoulder its responsibility to prevent attacks against teachers,” Razkane added.
It is worth pointing out that Mohamed El Ouafa warned against violence at school in the parliament and promised to take strict measures against any student who attacks teachers.
© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed
Rabat – June 12, 2013 (MAP)
Some 92,000 children aged 7-15 are engaged in child labour in Morocco, or 1.9 pc of all children in this age group, according to the results of a survey of the High Commission for Planning (HCP) issued on the occasion of the World Day against Child Labour observed annually on June 12.
The phenomenon of child labor in Morocco is however in sharp decline since 1999 when it touched 9.7 pc of all children of 7 to less than 15 years, or 517,000 children, says the survey, stressing that the child labor is concentrated mainly in rural areas where it touches 3.9 pc of children (85,000) against 16.2 pc in 1999 (452,000 children).
In the cities, this phenomenon concerns 0.3 pc of urban children (7000) against 2.5 pc in 1999 (65,000 children), the same source adds, noting that more than nine working children in ten (92 .4 per cent) live in rural areas.
Moreover, this phenomenon affects more boys than girls (54.1 pc are male). This proportion varies from 51.1 pc to 90.3 pc in urban areas.
Depending on the circumstances, 21.7 pc of children work alongside their schooling, 59.2 pc dropped out of school and 19.1 pc have never attended school.
The UNICEF estimates that nearly one in six children aged 5–14 are engaged in child labour in the world.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), 7.4 million children in the same age group are domestic workers.
By Loubna Flah
Morocco World News
Casablanca, June 11, 2013
The latest data disclosed by the Group of Moroccan Petroleum Producers known as GPM, revealed that fuel and gasoline sales decreased while Butane fuel sales increased slightly starting from April 2013. The Butane fuel is usually sold bottled as a fuel for cooking and camping.
According to the Moroccan daily Al Massae, the Propane fuel sales have been faltering during the four quarters of the current year. The amount of Propane fuel sales for this year reached 41, 000 tones compared to 47, 000 reached in 2012.
The statistics disclosed by the GPM reveal also that the sales of Fuel Oil used to produce electricity soared to reach 35, 6 % at the end of April 2013 compared to the same period last year.
The sales of the benzene variety known as “Super” decreased also dropping from 167 000 tones in 2012 to 148 000 tones in 2013. The gasoline sales on the other hand decreased from 1, 4 Billion tones recorded in 2012 to 1, 3 Billion tones in 2013.
The statistics disclosed by Lasamir Company revealed a slowdown in the volume of the raw fuel refined by the company during the past four months. Indeed, the volume of refined raw oil dropped from 1, 7 billion tones in 2012 to 1, 3 billion tones recorded in 2013. Lasamir supply of different types of fuel has generally plummeted at the end of April 2013.
Overall, the imports decreased considerably, which has lowered the cost of the total energy bill. The volume of imports reached 11, 7% during the first four months of the current year.
The volume of imports stagnated at MAD 30, 4 billion in 2013 compared to MAD 34, 4 billion recorded last year.
The drop in the volume of imports is ascribed to two main factors, namely the decrease in the oil prices in international markets and a significant drop in the domestic demand.
The shortage in the domestic energy resources is a real burden for the Moroccan economy. Morocco imports 98%of its energy needs from the international market, mainly crude petroleum, which is refined domestically.
Morocco cover the bulk of its growing energy needs through imports.
©Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed
By Youssef Sourgo
Morocco World News
CASABLANCA, June 11, 2013
The Moroccan lawn bowls (pétanque in French) team, made of Ajwad Mohamed, Abdessamad Menkari and Rachid Habchi, beat the Tunisian team last Sunday, June 9, during the finals of the African Nations Championship of lawn bowls .
The three Moroccan bowlers left no glimpse of hope for the Carthaginians after scoring 13 points to 6, thus winning the African competition champions of Africa.
The game took place at Rachidi Place in Casablanca. The competition brought together the best bowlers of the African continent, marked by a predominant Moroccan participation.
Such victory comes with more responsibility for the Moroccan champions of Africa. The ten top teams in this African championship competition qualify to participate in the International Lawn Bowls Championship planned to take place in Tahiti, in 2014.
The Moroccan team more likely to perform well during the international competition, since a Moroccan team had already reached the finals during the previous edition of the International Lawn Bowls Championship held in 2011 Yaoundé (Cameron), ranking second after losing against Madagascar.
By Youssef El Kaidi
Morocco World News
Fez, June 11, 2013
Tobacco addicts can finally have the sensations of the best tobacco brands without any health risks thanks to the e-cigarette Cilouette shop in Casablanca.
Specializing in electronic cigarette, “Cilouette shop” has opened in Romandie gallery in the center of Casablanca. This new sign that required a total investment of MDH 5 million will commercialize cigarettes of a new kind, which have already made a hit in the European and American markets.
“We plan to open in the coming months, duty-free or own investment, in Morocco and Africa, several shops specializing in the sale of electronic cigarettes and accessories. Cilouette is a registered trademark 100 per cent Moroccan with Chinese partners in terms of e-cigarette element and a French partner for liquid charging” says Mohammed Bouharri, the project partner.
The objective is to position, on the Moroccan market, the electronic cigarette as the best alternative for ordinary cigarette because it is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic. “The statistics we have say that more than 15 billion cigarettes are smoked each year in Morocco and 60 per cent of smokers belong to the age group 20-39 years. Similarly, 41.7 per cent are victims of passive smoking. Our will can be summed up in our slogan “smoke without risk, without disturbance,” he adds.
With the e-cigarette, it is possible to “smoke” and to feel all the sensations, while avoiding the inconveniences and dangers of conventional cigarettes made of tobacco. When the user puffs at the electronic cigarette, the atomizer, small device with a length of one or two centimeters, which is screwed onto the end “mouth side” of the battery, gets activated and mixes the e-liquid with the inspired air. This mixture is then propelled in vapor form and is inhaled by the user. Evaporation of e-liquid resembles the smoke from a real cigarette.
However, unlike tobacco smoke, the vapor produced by the e-cigarette contains no ammonia, no tar, and no additional toxic substances found in a regular cigarette.
Also considered a trendy accessory with its chic and refined design, the e-cigarette can be used in cafes, restaurants, nightclubs and even in an airplane. It is available in different colors and designs to please and satisfy all tastes.
© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed
Morocco World News
Rabat, June 11, 2013
A facebook page named “Tassribat Al Imtihanat” Exams leaks has just posted snapshots of an exam paper of English language that is administered to Bac 2 science branch, as the heading of the paper reads.
Few minutes after the start of the exam, the snapshots of the three pages of the said exam were posted on the aforementioned Facebook page.
Some facebook pages and other social media provided a variety of answers to most of the questions contained in the English language exam administered for Bac 2 science.
In addition to the answers of the exam, people posted comments mocking the ministry of education.
“Elouafa swore that no student will have the chance to cheat in these exams, but they tricked him”, reads a comment in the same page.
Most of the comments on the page bear the sense of victory over Mr Mohammed El ouafa as if students are in open war with the ministry of education.
Despite the strict policies adopted by the minister of National Education Mr. Mohammed El ouafa to eradicate cheating in exams, the reality proved the failure of the ministry to put an end to this bad habit that don’t guarantee equal opportunities to all the students.
© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed
Saida el ha: this is the right (y)...
Saladin: Blah blah blah! You are full of shit and crap! police in the Morocco I have...
ZionistSlayer: You're an incredibly well educated such racist. It's fantastic that...
Saladin: Man I wish I could come now and kick your ass! : Yes D I'll return...
ZionistSlayer: Saladin, you seem to be playing the role of a tough guy, so I have a d...
Par Sara El BekriNouvelles du monde Maroc
Casablanca, 11 juin 2013Nous avons tous entendu parler de ces nouvelles directives sévères concernant les étudiants qui seraient interceptées tricherie pendant les examens du baccalauréat cette année. Donc, je m'attendais à un certain changement dans la situation plutôt que les années précédentes. Mais ce matin que je me suis connecté Facebook, à ma grande surprise j'ai trouvé ce très grand nombre d'examens du baccalauréat fuite. J'ai été étonné de voir la fuite tellement dans toutes les branches différentes : littéraires, scientifiques et techniques.
À 10 minutes après le début de l'épreuve, de nombreux candidats baccalauréat a commencé à prendre des photos des questions et poster Facebook. Quelques minutes plus tard, ils ont commencé à publier des photos de leurs réponses, ou demander aux gens sur le réseau de médias sociaux pour les envoyer certains. Beaucoup de pages ont été utilisés comme moyen de partager les questions et réponses. Celui qui est utilisé le plus a « Tasribat. »Malgré les réformes apportées par le ministre de l'éducation nationale M. EL Wafa, il y n'a eu aucune amélioration dans la question de la lutte contre la tricherie aux examens du baccalauréat. En fait, il seulement se fait plus sérieux avec accès facile à toutes sortes de technologies sophistiquées des étudiants.
Selon les nouvelles lignes directrices concernant les examens du baccalauréat, on demande des enseignants pour s'assurer qu'aucun étudiant n'est en possession de son téléphone portable. Toutefois, il n'y a aucune ligne directrice spécifique indiquant comment les enseignants sont censés pour le faire. Ils doivent rechercher les étudiants à la porte de la classe ? Ou ils devraient les rendre à vider leurs poches ? Il est bien connu, comment dangereux de que tels actes peuvent être des enseignants et en particulier des femmes professeurs qui sont très souvent intimidés et menacés.La question de la tricherie aux examens du baccalauréat doit être traitée d'une manière beaucoup plus sérieuse. Et beaucoup plus d'efforts doit être placé afin d'appliquer ces nouvelles directives. En fait, il pourrait être un moyen pour mettre fin à la tricherie via les réseaux sociaux selon un syndicaliste de l'enseignement. Pendant de nombreuses années, ils ont demandé l'introduction d'un certain dispositif électronique qui permet de bloquer la connexion internet pendant les examens dans le domaine concerné.
Comment peut-on parler d'égalité des chances pour tous les étudiants dans de telles circonstances ? Tandis qu'un étudiant met tant d'efforts à l'étude pour l'examen, un autre juste s'assoit et attend des réponses à venir. Et malheureusement, ce dernier est plus susceptible d'avoir une meilleure note. Et comment ces étudiants vont être les futurs enseignants, médecins, avocats et ingénieurs avec aucune compétence que ce soit ?Nos jeunes sont notre avenir et tant qu'ils trichent, Maroc ne va nulle part près de développement.
Saida el ha: this is the right (y)...
Saladin: Blah blah blah! You are full of shit and crap! police in the Morocco I have...
ZionistSlayer: You're an incredibly well educated such racist. It's fantastic that...
Saladin: Man I wish I could come now and kick your ass! : Yes D I'll return...
ZionistSlayer: Saladin, you seem to be playing the role of a tough guy, so I have a d...
By Jamal Boubakri
Morocco World News
Washington, June 11, 2013
In 2009, Morocco launched a huge program that will make the kingdom a leader in solar power production by the end of the decade. Morocco plans to build five new solar plants by 2020 with a combined production capacity of 2,000 megawatts and at an estimated cost of nine billion dollars or 6.9 billion Euros.
Since Morocco has no oil and gas reserves, it is hoping, with the solar projects, along with many planned wind plants along its Atlantic coast, to increase renewable energy production to 42 percent of its total power supply by 2020.
The first solar project is now under construction. Ain Beni Mathar plant is considered the world’s biggest concentrating solar project. The first 160 megawatt phase is being built by a consortium led by Saudi developer ACWA Power. It should come online by 2015. That will grow to 500 MW by 2020, covering 3000 hectares at a cost of $1.4 billion. It will supply electricity to Ouarzazate’s 1.5 million residents.
According to the African Development Bank, this plant combines solar and thermal power. It enables the National Office of Electricity (ONE) to diversify its energy sources, increase its production capacity from 200 to 250 MW by 2012 and to supply the interconnected system with nearly 1590 GWh per year, of which 55 GWh will come from solar, and save on fuel costs.
The other four remaining solar plants under this project will be in Ouarzazate, Foum Al Oued, Boujdour and Sebkhat Tah. All five plants under this project will cover 10 000 hectares and should produce up to 2 gigawatts of electricity.
Financing for this program is coming from the World Bank, Global Environment Facility, African Development Bank, European Investment Bank and other institutions.
According to the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), in addition to electric production, this project includes training, technical expertise, R&D, the promotion of an integrated solar industry, and possibly the desalination of sea water. This large-scale project will be based on targeted and well-balanced public-private partnerships (PPP’s) with reference players.
As the World Bank puts it, “Morocco is ideally positioned to serve European markets and to use this positioning to take a technology and market lead.”
Thanks to the exploitation of the solar potential, the project will contribute to the reduction of the reliance on energy, environmental preservation, through the limitation of CO2 emissions and to climate change control.
By Youssef El KaidiMorocco World NewsFez, June 11, 2013The number of Spaniards who immigrate to Morocco in search of work opportunities is on the rise and the phenomenon clearly attests to the stubborn economic crisis in the northern neighbor. The Spanish economic boom that began in the eighties of the twentieth century has come to a severe halt with the economic crisis that hit many European countries and braked their economic growth. The number of Spanish people who lost their jobs is on the rise and unemployment rate mounted to more than 30 per cent and 55 per cent among the youth. Under this situation, thousands of Spanish people were obliged to immigrate in search of other opportunities abroad. Morocco, which is only 15 km away from the southern coasts of Spain, is one of the best destinations for Spaniards. Not long time ago, Moroccans used to venture on death boats clandestinely crossing the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain where work opportunities abounded. Today, it’s the world upside down; the Spanish people are doing the same in the reverse direction towards Morocco. The number of Spaniards officially registered as residents in Morocco quadrupled between 2003 (3000) and 2011 (more than 10,000) according to the National Statistics Institute of Spain. Tens of thousands more are now believed to be in Morocco illegally. Wherever you go in the northern cities of Tangier, Tetuan, Fnideq and Martil your eyes fall on Spanish workers in construction fields, welding and carpentry workshops etc. The French TV channel France 2 recently broadcasted a report on the phenomenon featuring a number of Spaniards speaking about their experience. Martin Sierra, a Spanish who left his wife and a child and came to Tangier to work as a mason, says “I came in search of a job. In Spain the situation is terrible. There is nothing, nothing.” Before the economic crisis, Spaniards residents in Morocco were essentially teachers, diplomats, or businessmen, but the economic crisis changed the situation. Now, workers and artisans of all sorts of jobs and crafts come to Morocco and accept to work for the same salary as Moroccans. Massimo Giovani, a Spanish architect working in Tangier, says “before, the Spaniards arrived here as in a conquered land. They were convinced that they can buy Morocco. Now they come here to ask for help and accept to work for the same salary as Moroccans.”The question that many ask today is how is Morocco going to deal with the increasing number of clandestine Spanish immigrants? Will Morocco expel illegal immigrants from its land? Up to the moment, no official statement has been released in this regard. In his last visit to Spain, Morocco’s Prime Minister Mr. Abdelilah Benkirane expressed his support for Spain in its economic crisis and invited Spaniards to work in Morocco; a call that many people conceived as weird because Morocco itself is still wallowing in ample economic problems. © Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed
Rabat, June 5, 2013 (map)
Morocco, an important and stable country in the region, has launched democratic reforms before the outbreak of the Arab spring, said Wednesday in Rabat, Richard Ottaway, Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs in the British Parliament.
"Morocco, an important and stable country, addressed the issues of democracy and the full participation of its inhabitants before the Arab spring," Ottaway said at a press conference after a meeting with the Moroccan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Youssef Amrani.
Assistant to UK welcomed the important role of the Morocco in the sahelo-Saharan region, under the leadership of SM King Mohammed VI.
Amrani, for his part, said that he had discussed with the ambitious reform process, the opening UK employee, modenisation and good governance initiated under the direction of HM the King.
He expressed the desire of the Kingdom to develop economic cooperation with the United Kingdom.
On the question of the Moroccan Sahara, Minister delegate stated that resolution 2099 reaffirmed the primacy of the Moroccan autonomy initiative, that it recognizes the efforts of the Morocco to promote and protect the human rights and reiterates the call of the Security Council of the United Nations for a census of the population in the Tindouf camps.
He recalled that the resolution considers that the status quo is unacceptable and that it insists on the need for an urgent solution to this regional conflict, taking into account the security situation in the sahelo-Saharan region.
With regard to the integration of the Maghreb, Aguiar stressed the importance of the construction of the Arab Maghreb Union, recalling that SM King Mohammed VI had called for a new order of the Maghreb the aspirations of the peoples of the region.
Rabat, June 4, 2013 (map)
Amnesty International report reflecting the gains and achievements in the rights of man, of Morocco, said the inter-ministerial delegate to the rights of man, Mahjoub El Hiba.
In a telephone interview broadcast Tuesday by "Al Jazeera" based in Qatar, the official stressed that the issue of human rights is "an ongoing process", as evidenced by the large area of freedoms in the Morocco.
"It is impossible to say that the Morocco resumed practices serious or systematic violation of human rights human rights, either in the press or associations, he added, recalling the existence of bodies for the protection and promotion of the nationals of the human rights, primarily the national commission (CNDH) human rights and its regional committees"In addition to the possibility of filing a complaint before the courts in the event of violation.
He also stressed the role of civil society, including NGOs which have become partners of the Government in the human rights monitoring in the Morocco.
Paris, 5 June 2013 (map)
Morocco has recently ratified the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the diversity of Cultural Expressions, permanent mission of Morocco to UNESCO said on Wednesday.
By becoming the 130th Member State to ratify the Convention, Morocco allows the Pact to acquire the status of universality, ", said a statement of the mission of the Morocco.
According to the same source, the Morocco participated actively, between December 2003 and June 2005, in the drafting process of the Convention in accordance with its faith in the fundamental universal values.
Adopted by the General Assembly of UNESCO in October 2005, this convention seeks, primarily, to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions, to create the conditions for cultures to flourish and to interact freely in a mutually beneficial manner, to encourage dialogue between cultures to ensure the wider and balanced cultural exchanges in the world in favour of intercultural respect and a culture of peace and to foster interculturality in order to develop cultural in mind interaction building bridges between peoples.
It also aims to promote respect for the diversity of cultural expressions and awareness of its value at the local, national and international levels, reaffirm the importance of the link between culture and development for all countries, in particular for developing countries, support actions undertaken nationally and internationally to secure recognition of the true value of this link and to pay tribute to the specific nature of cultural activitiesgoods and services as vehicles of identity, values and meaning.
