Morocco: Visit by UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons

GENEVA, Switzerland, June 14, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, will visit Morocco* from 17 to 21 June 2013 to examine the phenomenon of trafficking and assess the responses taken to combat human trafficking.

“During my visit to Morocco, I hope to identify challenges and good practices in combatting and preventing human trafficking as well as protecting the human rights of victims of trafficking. My visit is also an opportunity to engage constructively with relevant authorities and key actors on these key issues and challenges,” said Ms. Ezeilo, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government.

The Special Rapporteur will meet with relevant officials, authorities, the judiciary, national institutions involved in the fight against trafficking in persons, as well as representatives of UN agencies, international organizations, civil society, individuals and victims of trafficking and/or their representatives. In Morocco, the Special Rapporteur plans to visit Rabat, Casablanca and Tangier.

Ms. Ezeilo will share her preliminary observations and recommendations at a press conference in Rabat on 21 June 2013, at 2:00 pm, at the Hotel Golden Tulip Farah (Place Sidi Makhlouf, Rabat). The Special Rapporteur's findings and recommendations will be reflected in her report to the Human Rights Council in 2014.

(*)The Special Rapporteur will also visit Dakhla, Western Sahara, on 20 June 2013.