Illegal immigration throughout the African continent has been one of Morocco’s most serious challenges in recent years and has made it the largest migrant hub to Spain and other European Union countries. However, the number of illegal migrants leaving Morocco fell dramatically in 2006, thanks to stricter border controls and the smashing of human trafficking rings. Moroccan authorities detained 5,500 would-be illegal migrants in the first quarter of 2006, a drop of nearly 70% from the same period last year. Tighter controls by Morocco and Spain have forced many migrants, most of whom come from sub-Saharan Africa, to attempt instead the treacherous journey in small boats to the Spanish Canary Islands. In late May, 732 African illegal migrants arrived in the archipelago, a new daily record. Following the success of cooperation with Morocco, several European countries have set up joint patrols on the West African coast to intercept them.
The US Department of State, in its 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report, praised Morocco for its aggressive campaign to prevent human trafficking in 2005, and reaffirmed its status as a “Tier 1” country that meets standards established in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. The Government of Morocco’s cooperation with international anti-trafficking efforts, including initiatives taken to discipline United Nations peacekeepers, reflects the government's strong commitment to addressing the problem of human trafficking. According to Ministry of Interior reports, the government disbanded more than 480 criminal rings in 2005, in addition to taking steps to address official corruption. 90 networks were dismantled in 2006, including an operation in February in which Moroccan officials infiltrated a large international trafficking network smuggling migrants from India, leading to the arrest of 70 suspects.
The US Department of State, in its 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report, praised Morocco for its aggressive campaign to prevent human trafficking in 2005, and reaffirmed its status as a “Tier 1” country that meets standards established in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. The Government of Morocco’s cooperation with international anti-trafficking efforts, including initiatives taken to discipline United Nations peacekeepers, reflects the government's strong commitment to addressing the problem of human trafficking. According to Ministry of Interior reports, the government disbanded more than 480 criminal rings in 2005, in addition to taking steps to address official corruption. 90 networks were dismantled in 2006, including an operation in February in which Moroccan officials infiltrated a large international trafficking network smuggling migrants from India, leading to the arrest of 70 suspects.
According to the Ministry of Justice, Morocco works in conjunction with the Governments of Spain, France, Italy, and Egypt on the investigation andprosecution of traffickers. These successful cooperation efforts contributed to further progress in Morocco’s prosecution of traffickers and corrupt officials over the last year. The government’s anti-trafficking statutes punish traffickers and complicit public officials with penalties ranging from six months to 20 years’ imprisonment and the forfeiture of assets.
Furthermore, Morocco has continued to advance in its trafficking prevention efforts. The government established an anti-trafficking task force to formulate policy and monitor progress in combating trafficking. Working with the governments of Spain and other EU countries, Morocco increased patrols along the waterway between the Western Sahara and the Canary Islands and improved monitoring of its land borders, airports, and train stations. As part of Morocco’s cooperation with the “Investing in the Children of the Islamic World” program, government officials also meet with UNICEF regularly to discuss programs aimed to keep rural children at risk of trafficking in school.
