The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) is taking part in the 25th edition of the International Publishing and Book Fair, known under its French acronym SIEL, to be held from 7 to 17 February 2019 in Casablanca. This year, the CNDH’s exhibition will shed light on migration issues.
Under the theme of “Mobility: Rights Without Borders”, the CNDH’s participation aims to promote and advocate for the effective implementation of migrants’ rights. The history of humanity requires us to find the appropriate answers to the eternal question of migration in our era, underlined Mrs. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson.
Thus, the CNDH’s pavilion will provide an opportunity to take stock of the national migration and asylum policy and its regional and international scope. This event will also be an opportunity to debate the access of migrants to social and economic rights, to share their citizen experiences initiated for protecting and promoting the rights of foreigners in Morocco.
For ten days, writers, researchers, members of civil society, political and institutional actors as well as visitors will be given the floor to discuss the issue of migration and the situation of foreigners in Morocco and to review the achievement and challenges in this area.
This event will also be an opportunity to raise children’s and young people’s awareness on foreigners rights, to introduce scientific and literary works on migration to readers as well as to pay tribute to several civil society actors working on issues related to migration and the protection of the rights of migrants.
Four mornings will be dedicated to children. Public personalities will share their insights on migration issues with children during these moments.
Mrs. Bouayach, Mr. Ahmed Chaouki Benyoub, Interministerial Delegate for Human Rights and Mr. Lahbib Nadir, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of Moroccan Living Abroad and Migration Affairs will participate in these meetings devoted to children.
Within this context, more than 120 children, from Al Hociema, Marrakech, Dakhla, Laayoune, Errachidia, Beni Mellal and Tangier will be hosted at the CNDH’s Pavilion.
Covering an area of 360 m², the CNDH Pavilion will present its publications and schedule four main sections: “Debate”, “Citizen Initiatives”, “Tribute” and “Book launch“.
The CNDH published the recommendations of its report on migration and asylum in September 2013. This report called for the development and implementation of a public policy protecting rights based on international cooperation and integration of civil society. The Government, which has interacted positively with the Council’s recommendations, has put in place a new migration policy, in accordance with the Royal Guidelines. This policy respects the global and humanistic approach and is based on the international law and multilateral cooperation.
The first stages of this policy were marked by launching two operations in 2014 and 2016 to document illegal migrants according to specific criteria and the establishment of the National Appeal and Monitoring Committee as well as the legal reform process governing migration, asylum and trafficking in human beings.
The CNDH’s Pavilion will be accessible to persons with disabilities (accessibilty, sign language interpretations) and its events can be followed live on social media: https://m.facebook.com/CNDHMaroc.ar/
