A/HRC/32/43/Add.1
would be needed with regard to mobilizing human and financial resources for the
implementation of a genuine policy of inclusion and regularization of the status migrants.
28.
As a result of that report, a new human-rights-based approach to migration policy
has been adopted. The Ministry in Charge of Moroccans Living Abroad and Migration
Affairs informed the Independent Expert that Morocco was developing a national system
that ensured the rights and freedoms of migrants and refugees, in cooperation with relevant
public institutions. An emergency plan had also been put in place to address the needs of
about 18,000 migrants who had recently been granted residency permits. It was reported
that 92 per cent of applications for regularization had been approved, although members of
civil society had indicated difficulties in the implementation of the temporary measures at
the local government level. The plan included the full integration of migrants into
Moroccan society through education, vocational training, language classes and access to
income-generating activities, in addition to equal access to public services. In order to
implement the emergency plan, framework conventions had been established with the
Ministry of Education and Vocational Training; the Ministry of Solidarity, Women, Family
and Social Development and the Ministry of Youth and Sport, as well as the Office for
Vocational Training and Promotion of Work.
29.
Morocco has worked jointly with UNHCR to grant access to services to refugees
and has responded positively to the influx of Syrian refugees. The 2013 mobility
partnership with Europe, which is a joint policy to manage the movement of persons aimed
at strengthening cooperation on migration and development, combating irregular migration,
smuggling and trafficking, and implementing return policies has played a significant role in
the policy shift by Morocco. The framework document setting up the mobility partnership
specifies that its implementation should respect fundamental rights and the dignity of the
people concerned, and should comply with duly ratified international instruments
concerning the protection of refugees.
30.
The new national migration policy also accounts for shared responsibility between
countries of origin, transit and destination, and promotes multilateral cooperation with
sending countries to address the root causes of migration, in coordination with the
European Union and the International Organization for Migration. More activities to
address the push factors in countries of origin have to be developed within the framework
of South-South cooperation with the agreement of development partners. The role of civil
society in implementing this policy shift has been crucial. The Independent Expert was
informed that civil society had contributed to the preliminary discussions, as well as the
design and implementation of the policy. It was underscored that all actors were consulted,
including migrants in irregular situations themselves. The Ministry regularly met with a
civil society council, and a seminar was scheduled to take place in March 2016 to discuss
the role of civil society in implementing the policy on migration. The Independent Expert
welcomes this initiative, as it may be a starting point for responding to the need for an
enhanced strategic partnership between the Government and civil society, especially in
monitoring the effective implementation of the new policy at the local level.
D.
National environmental policy and international solidarity
31.
Despite its insignificant gas emissions, Morocco has chosen a production model
based on clean energy and has made the green growth agenda a top priority, in line with its
commitment to actively participate in the efforts of the international community to address
climate change. To this end, the Government has developed strategies for the initiation of
green growth in the sectors of energy, transport, industry, construction and solid waste. The
various programme components are aimed at building a diversified energy mix, in which
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