Overview of Human Rights in Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral Parliament. Corruption and a lack of transparency in the government are a concern. The government arbitrarily limits the freedoms of speech, religion, and press. The judiciary is not independent of the executive branch. Free and fair trials, especially for suspected Islamist activities, are rare. In recent years, hundreds of people were found guilty and sentenced due to their suspected Islamist ties and activities.

While there has been marked improvement in the suppression of the sex trade and the long-awaited implementation of the Family Status Code, the human rights situation in the country remains poor in many areas. Authorities practice arbitrary arrest and detention. Deaths while in police custody due to the use of excessive force and torture have also been reported. Unwarranted force is also used against demonstrators and migrants, which has also led to deaths among victims. Occasional searches of property and homes occur without warrants. Citizens’ privacy rights are also infringed upon by the authorities. All of these actions are done with impunity. Prison conditions in Morocco are harsh. Overcrowding is a serious issue.  Human trafficking and child labor are also areas of concern in Morocco.

In recent years, hundreds of migrants were arrested and deported. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants reports that most migrants live in sub-standard conditions with no assurance they will be granted asylum. The United Nations has suggested that a clear plan be devised to protect migrant rights in Morocco. As of press time, one has not yet been developed.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

123rd out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.