HUMAN TRAFFICKING: FOR AN EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY

The Advisory Council on Human Rights (CCDH) continues its consultation meetings with governmental and non- governmental stakeholders to complete its study on human trafficking phenomenon. The Council held thus a meeting with representatives of human rights associations, on October 4th, 2010, in its headquarters in Rabat.

This meeting was chaired by Mr. Ahmed Herzenni, CCDH President. Mr. Herzenni indicated that human trafficking is a priority for the Council. He underlined that debating the phenomenon would help evaluating its real scale and determining an appropriate strategy to fight it. Describing it as “shameful”, Mr. Herzenni confirmed that human trafficking puts at stake all Moroccan achievements in the field of human rights. He added that this phenomenon is increasingly present in the agenda of associations through specific issues like child maid and sub-Saharan immigrants. The Council held last September a previous similar meeting with governmental sectors and national institutions concerned by this phenomenon.

Highlighting the importance of a legal arsenal to fight against human trafficking phenomenon, Mr. Herzenni indicated the Council will decide, after the end of all scheduled consultation meetings, whether to plead for the elaboration of specific law on human trafficking or just submit a consultation statement on the matter.

Mr. M’Barek Bouderka, CCDH member, shed light on the legal lacuna in Morocco regarding human trafficking. He complained about the absence of reliable and precise statistics on this organized and transcontinental crime, organized by criminal networks active all over the world. According to Mr. M’Barek Bouderka, such meetings and discussions aim to identify the best way to fight against this phenomenon, mainly at the legislative scale.

The present representatives, on their turn, complained about the absence of a relevant law and criticized State reluctance in fighting this phenomenon.

Mr. Mahjoub Al Haiba, CCDH Secretary General, at the end of this meeting, highlighted the necessity to analyse the current situation of the phenomenon to identify its real scale. He invited the associations to provide the Council with relevant information and data they have and called for the participation of other associations in this debate.

As regards the legislative approach to be adopted, he underlined three possibilities: implementation of specific legislation on human trafficking, integration of specific provisions in the penal system (Moroccan Penal Code and Penal Procedure) or the elaboration of law on human trafficking.

During the preparation phase of its not-yet-complete study, the Advisory Council on Human Rights participated in several international meetings on the issue of human trafficking and considered many relevant successful experiences and best practices. It studied international conventions on the phenomenon and took into consideration existing data and statistics.

The Council adopted a participative and integrated human rights based approach, taking into consideration the reality of the phenomenon and national efforts made to fight it. It considered, as well, international and regional cooperation means and experiences, adopting a vision that aims to protect dignity and human rights.