 For the third year in a row, the US State Department's annual report on human rights, released on Monday, devotes a chapter to Morocco, including its Sahara.
This tradition, which has been practiced by US diplomacy in preparing its reports, perpetuates Washington's approach to addressing the Sahara issue since the United States recognized Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces, in December 2020.
Regarding the political situation in the Kingdom, the report discusses the holding of local, regional and parliamentary elections in September 2021, noting that "national and international observers considered that the elections were generally free, fair and transparent."
Regarding the status of prison institutions in Morocco, the US diplomacy confirmed that "conditions in prisons have improved," noting that "Al Waseet Institution helped in resolving many civil cases."
The US report added that the National Council for Human Rights "continues to play its role as a channel through which citizens express their complaints about human rights violations."
With regard to immigration, the US State Department sheds light on the Kingdom's humanitarian policy, stressing that "the government cooperated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian organizations to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, and other persons who fall within its jurisdiction."
The same source pointed out that "the government has also allocated financial support to humanitarian organizations to provide social services for migrants, including refugees."
The report stated that "the government continued to grant the status of refugees recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees," noting that the Kingdom "facilitated the voluntary return of migrants with the support of the International Organization for Migration."
In its latest report on human rights for the year 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that "immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees have, by law, equal access to justice and public services, including health and education."
News and events on Western Sahara issue/ CORCAS
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