HIBAPRESS – MAP
Hicham Malaati, Director of Criminal Affairs, Pardon, and Crime Monitoring at the Ministry of Justice and head of the National Committee for Coordinating Measures to Combat and Prevent Human Trafficking, announced on Thursday in Rabat that 1597 criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking were dismantled during the period from 2021 to 2025.
Malaati explained, while presenting the national report on "The Efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco in Combating and Preventing Human Trafficking: A Renewed National Path," which summarizes five years of efforts in this field, that the Kingdom recorded 536 cases related to human trafficking during this period, with 816 individuals prosecuted and 774 convicted, while the total number of victims reached 988.
He pointed out that the aforementioned period witnessed profound and continuous structural transformations in the national system for combating and preventing human trafficking, highlighting that this path began with a phase of consolidating institutional structures and intensifying international technical cooperation (2021-2022), before reaching a pivotal point represented by the adoption of the National Plan to Combat and Prevent Human Trafficking (2023-2030) and its strategic implementation plan (2023-2026).
Malaati noted that the report aims to present a summary reflecting the interconnection between the various aspects of the national response in combating and preventing human trafficking, emphasizing that the nature of this crime, "with its multiple dimensions and intricate links," makes progress in one area a catalyst for strengthening other areas.
For her part, Aisha Iklin, a judge attached to the Public Prosecution and head of the Human Trafficking Unit, affirmed that the efforts of the Public Prosecution, as a member of the National Committee for Coordinating Measures to Combat and Prevent Human Trafficking, focus on strengthening the capacities of public prosecutors, especially those specializing in these cases, through training and field visits to leading countries in this field.
Iklin revealed, in a press statement, that the Public Prosecution is preparing a practical guide on the crime of human trafficking, expected to be published soon, to be added to the previous guide related to indicators for identifying children.
Abdelouahad El Atir, representing the ministerial delegation in charge of human rights, considered that the presentation of this report marks an important milestone in Morocco's path in combating human trafficking, affirming that it highlights the efforts made within the framework of fulfilling relevant international commitments.
El Atir confirmed, in a similar statement, that this path reflects a strong will on the part of the Kingdom to confront this phenomenon and put an end to it, and to take the necessary measures to address its repercussions and effects.
The preparation of the report "The Efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco in Combating and Preventing Human Trafficking: A Renewed National Path" falls within the framework of the competencies vested in the National Committee by virtue of Article Seven of Law No. 27.14 concerning the fight against human trafficking, particularly concerning the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of public policy and the national action plan in this area.
It also comes in response to the Kingdom's international commitments, foremost among which is the Palermo Protocol supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and the review mechanism for the implementation of this convention and its annexed protocols.
The report, which spans 142 large-format pages, consists of an introductory section highlighting the legal and institutional framework for combating and preventing human trafficking, and five main sections covering "Prevention, Awareness, and Sensitization," "Judicial Follow-up and Prosecution," "Victim Protection," "Partnerships and International Cooperation," and "Training and Capacity Building," as well as a statistical annex.
