African dynamics should connect with the process of negotiation on the Global Compact on Migration

As a part of the Third Informal Session on the process of negotiation on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, held on 19 and 20 June 2017, in Geneva, the National Human Rights Council of Morocco (CNDH) took part, on 20 June 2017, in the third panel on “International cooperation and governance of migration on return, readmission, integration and reintegration”.

In a statement by Mrs. Aminata Pagni, Migrants’ rights officer at the CNDH, she underscored the intraregional migration, particularly in Africa.  Only 15% of African migrants live in Europe and 6% in America, hence, it is necessary to take into account and develop the existing regional agreements. It is essential as well to associate these dynamics with the development of the Global Compact.

The CNDH also highlighted the key role of diasporas and the need to integrate them into the process of negotiations. In Africa, 20,000 professionals leave their country, or 10% of the African skilled workforce, and remittances of migrants can reach up to 15% of GDP in some countries.

The CNDH highlighted the need to consider these realities in discussions on African migration. In this regard, the Council underlined the special event of the African National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) held in Niamey last May, which was an opportunity to further reflect on the roles of NHRIs in the elaboration of the Global Compact.

The CNDH added that these relevant discussions on migration issues have been initiated by various African mechanisms including:

-       Ms. Maya Sahli Fadel, the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants and Internally displaced Persons in the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)

-        Two African instruments on refugees and on internally displaced persons. 

The CNDH concludes that these different regional dynamics should be connected with the process of negotiation on the Global Compact and that NHRIs are ready to engage therein through their mandates.

Meanwhile, Mr. Driss El Yazami took part in the informal dialogue between the co-facilitators and the non-governmental actors which took place on the sidelines of the Third Thematic Session on the Global Compact on Migration. The meeting was an opportunity for non-governmental actors to share their experiences in protecting and promoting migrants’ rights and to evaluate their role in the process of negotiation on the Global Compact on Migration.

During this dialogue, the President of the CNDH presented the new migration policy of Morocco and the process of regularization of undocumentedmigrants initiated following the publication of the report of the CNDH on foreigners and human rights.

Mr. El Yazami also participated in a side event organized on the margins of this Third Session under the theme “Human rights perspectives on the governance of migration at borders and in the context of returns”.

The Third Informal Session of the process of negotiation on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is held under the theme “International cooperation and governance of migration in all its dimensions, including at borders, on transit, entry, return, readmission, integration and reintegration".