Moroccan Justice Minister Abdelatif Wohbi has criticized the European Union’s approach to combating illegal migration, asserting that the Union’s policy amounts to “human trafficking.”
Speaking at an event organized by the Ministerial Delegation for Human Rights on the assessment of Morocco’s national reports submitted to United Nations human rights mechanisms, Wohbi stated, “We are expected to prevent migrants from passing through Morocco to reach Europe, and at the same time, we are required to train engineers and doctors and offer them to Europe.”
He further argued, “At times, I believe that Europe is committing the crime of human trafficking. I conveyed this message to European officials during our meetings. I told them that we have no right to prevent any Moroccan citizen seeking to improve their social and economic situation from entering Europe, but ask us for the acceptable way.”
Wohbi posed the question, “Is our role merely to act as border guards to prevent migrants from reaching Europe, and should you pay us a financial reward for blocking migrants, as other countries do? We do not engage in such practices because we do not traffic in human beings.”
He added, “Morocco is asked for a lot, and everyone is surprised that it is a strong country capable of offering much. This was evident during the recent earthquake.” He emphasized, “We do not need assistance but rather a lot of respect—for our intelligence, our position, and our status as a strong nation. The Moroccan human rights experience must be protected because it is a pioneering one.”
This article sheds light on Moroccan Justice Minister Abdelatif Wohbi’s critique of the European Union’s migration policies, which he contends involve elements of human trafficking. His remarks came during a discussion about Morocco’s role in preventing irregular migration to Europe while also acknowledging Morocco’s capabilities in providing skilled professionals to the EU.
Wohbi’s assertion that Europe might be engaged in human trafficking is a strong condemnation of the EU’s handling of migration. His comments reflect the complexities of Morocco’s position as a transit country for migrants attempting to reach Europe, as well as the expectations placed on Morocco by various stakeholders.
Morocco’s stance emphasizes the importance of respect for its sovereignty and recognition of its capacity to contribute positively to regional and global challenges, such as migration management and human rights. The Justice Minister’s comments highlight the need for a more equitable and respectful approach to addressing migration issues between Morocco and the EU.
