Minister Ouahbi from Lisbon: The Moroccan Kingdom’s pivotal role in in the fight against terrorism, illegal migration and trans-borders crime has made of it an essential partner to the EU in the area

Minister of Justice Mr. Abdellatif Ouahbi has stated that political stability and broad reforms undertaken by Morocco under His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s wise leadership, in addition to Morocco’s pivotal role in fighting terrorism, illegal migration and trans-borders crime has made of it an essential partner to the European Union in the area.

Minister Ouahbi has considered, in his statement made during the South V program about “Human rights protection, rule of the law and democracy through common standards in the South of the Mediterranean”, organized by the EU and the council of Europe on Monday, March 13, 2023 in Lisbon, that this is a convenient opportunity to renew regional cooperation relationships on a highly important topic of a great priority.

Minister Ouahbi has made clear that due to geographic rapprochement and historical and political considerations between Morocco and the EU, and in implementation of Morocco’s commitments with the EU based on partnerships agreement signed in 1996 and which entered into force on March 2000, Morocco has endorsed many regional and international conventions and legislations that respect principles of good governance and full respect of human rights as recognized internationally.

Minister Ouahbi has informed the conference attendees of the efforts made by Morocco in fighting trans-borders organized crime by relying on introduction of modern technology and digitization in this process; highlighting that the Justice Ministry has prepared and reviewed a number of regulations in relation with human rights and fight against crime in full openness with the remaining of both national and international partners, especially the council of Europe.

Minister Ouahbi added that the Justice Ministry has prepared bill number 14-27 regarding the fight against human trafficking, which was a very important step in reinforcing the national framework about protection of victims and prosecuting crime perpetrators, and which is based on human rights respect.