Conference on Integration of Regularized Migrants in Morocco

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Following the Moroccan National Human Rights Council's September 2013 thematic report on the situation of migrants and refugees in Morocco and King Mohammed VI's strategic guidance to improve the situation of undocumented migrants in the country, the Moroccan government has been working on implementing the new policy, including the regularization of several categories of migrants.

To ensure the sustainable integration of migrants allowed to stay, IOM, in collaboration with the Ministry of Moroccans Residing Abroad and Migration Affairs, and with support from the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), is organizing an international conference in Rabat on 10th and 11th March 2014 entitled: "The New Migration Policy: Which Integration Strategy?"

The event brings together politicians and experts from countries of origin and from Europe to share their experiences. Important contributions will also be made by local experts and NGOs, who work with migrants on a daily basis.

The conference will address four thematic areas, including social integration, access to basic rights and services, the cultural contribution of migrants and the role of civil society.

"Given that to date more than 12,000 migrants have filed requests for regularization and the first have already received their decisions, it is crucial to discuss integration now," says IOM Morocco Chief of Mission Anke Strauss.

"While it is relatively straight forward to determine whether or not a migrant meets the eligibility criteria established by the government in November, successful and durable integration is a significant challenge,” she notes.