Topic	:	“Discussing the Roles of Member States and the OIC in Response to the Ongoing Refugee Crisis”
Committee	:	Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
Country	:	Morocco

In the current global framework, the dynamics of migration in the world have undergone many transformations since 2000 as a result of the deteriorating economic conditions in many parts of Africa and the security upheaval that occurred in Middle Eastern countries. As a result, migration flows have become irregular and unpredictable along the western Mediterranean route, which was initially used mostly by migrants from sub-Saharan Africa countries and Al-Jazeera. This movement continued to escalate between 2000 and 2006, then increased sharply over the next four years as migration routes shifted from Morocco to Libya and the central Mediterranean.

Morocco began to receive many migrants and refugees after the civil war in Syria that began in 2014. Now, almost 8,000 refugees live in Morocco, most of them from Syria, Yemen, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and other countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that there are nearly 100,000 migrants living in Morocco, this figure represents 0.3 per cent of the total Moroccan population.

The increasing number of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa passing through Morocco on their way to Europe during the first nine months of 2018 has again made it one of the most important migratory corridors in the Mediterranean. As of 30 September 2018, nearly 37,000 people had emigrated in an irregular way between Africa and Europe via the western Mediterranean migration route in 2018. Thus Morocco became the first country of departure for migrants from Africa in 2018, while Spain became the most important gateway to Europe.

Recognizing the increasing phenomenon of refugees in Morocco, on 10 September 2013, Moroccan King Mohamed VI, adopted a new policy on immigration and asylum seekers, as a result of meetings with the Minister of the Interior and human rights representatives (among them the National Council for Human Rights, CNDH). This policy offers new protection for refugees in Morocco, by providing access to public education, health services, and the labor market.

The new migration policy consists of three main elements: (1) an extraordinary regulatory process for immigrants, which was carried out in 2014 (this operation benefited nearly 45,000 migrants); (2) expand the power for UNHCR to grant asylum rights to more asylum seekers and refugees in Morocco; (3) new laws that allow better integration of migrants and asylum seekers into Moroccan society, as well as increased emphasis on the fight against human trafficking.

As for overcoming the problem as a result of increasing refugees, one of which is in the economic field, the United Nations and the General Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco (GCEM) have signed a tripartite agreement with the Moroccan Government to support the economic integration of refugees in Morocco. A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlining the agreement, signed on May 18, under which GCEM will work with refugees to develop their professional skills and improve employability in the private sector. As a union of corporate leaders in Morocco, GCEM is committed to promoting economic autonomy for all vulnerable populations through workshops and skills development.

As already stated, most of the refugees are from Syria, Yemen, Ivory Coast, and other countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, these countries are member states of the OIC. This phenomenon reflects that the OIC has not been able to carry out the main objectives of the formation of OIC in 1969, which include promoting Islamic solidarity among its members and eliminating racial discrimination and colonialism in all its forms. Therefore, OIC must also focus on the problem of the refugee crisis, because this crisis affects many things, such as human trafficking, unemployment, economic downturn, and disputes with the country where refugees stop. Resolution on Humanitarian Affairs agreed in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates must be taken seriously. Affiliation with various other international organizations must be carried out in order to be mutually sustainable.

Morocco proposes a mandate resolution to facilitate the integration of newly regulated official immigrants, to establish an adaptable institutional and regulatory framework, and to manage the flow of migration in a way that maintains respect for human rights. Then, Morocco also recommends that directed at the United Nations, International Community, OIC, UNHCR, and civil society throughout the world, that according to article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), "Everyone has the right to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries from persecution". Therefore it is important to pay close attention to the implementation of the Refugee Convention, namely securing the rights of refugees to obtain protection and recognition of the right to access livelihoods.

To facilitate this, there is a need for the international community to establish 'watchdog' supra-national monitoring on the implementation of the Refugee Convention. This 'watchdog' is also given a mandate to take action or sanctions against countries that have ratified the convention but have not implemented it properly.

Then, often the international media and the world community misinterpreted refugees. It is important that people, especially officials, know the meaning of refugee and its rights under the Refugee Convention. Need to do socialization about refugees and their rights. By being more aware of refugee rights, refugees will be able to more easily claim their rights and civil society can put more pressure on government authorities to provide refugee access to their refugee rights. OIC’s member states (and other countries throughout the world) must also implement adequate asylum procedures to explain to irregular migrants and refugees about their rights and how realistic their expectations are. Migration management must include a humanitarian perspective and focus on securing basic human rights for all migrants.

REFERENCE

The Externalization Of European Borders: Morocco Becomes A Key EU Partner In Migration Control. (2018, December 26). Retrieved October 10, 2019, from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anagarciavaldivia/2018/12/26/the-externalization-of-european-borders-morocco-becomes-a-key-partner-for-the-eu/#2a97eb282657

anonym. (2018, May 21). Moroccan Gov’t, CGEM, UN Team Up to Support Refugee Integration in Morocco. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from Morocco World News: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/05/246802/moroccan-government-cgem-un-refugee-integration/

Brinke, D. t. (2011). Being a Refugee in Morocco. Nijmigen: Radboud University Nijmigen.

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