Geneva, March 12, 2025 – The National Human Rights Council of Morocco (CNDH) has welcomed the latest report from the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, expressing deep concern over the sharp rise in child trafficking globally. In a statement issued during an international dialogue with the Special Rapporteur at the United Nations, the CNDH emphasized that trafficked children face a web of interconnected rights violations—spanning social, economic rights, and beyond—exacerbated by migration routes, digital spaces, and recruitment into armed conflicts.

The CNDH acknowledged Morocco’s progress in tackling trafficking, including child trafficking, through a standalone law—shaped with CNDH input—the creation of an anti-trafficking commission (with CNDH participation), and a child redress mechanism hosted by the council. A national action plan for 2023-2030 further underscores these efforts.

At the Network of African NHRIs, the CNDH spearheaded the establishment of a working group to combat child rights violations across Africa, with a focus on trafficking. The council reiterated its push to outlaw online and offline sexual exploitation of children and end provisions allowing child marriage. It highlighted the need to bolster international cooperation to curb cross-border violations of the rights of the child, including trafficking in children, especially by non-state armed groups during crises or armed conflicts.