Tangier – The Moroccan passport is frequently criticized for a particular sentence, especially when compared to Canadian or American passports. Now, it has been classified among the worst passports in the world for promoting the rights of its holder.
The American passport clearly provides for the protection of its bearer. It reads, “The Secretary of State of United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen/national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection.”
The British passport requires the same care from hosting countries and authorities: “Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State Requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.”
The Moroccan passport, however, reads, “Any amputation, deletion, modification or change of information, papers, or content of this passport must lead to a judicial punishment in accordance with the law.”
It is clear that orders and advice are strictly directed toward the bearer. No request for protection of the bearer is mentioned.
The international Heleny report rated Morocco’s passport at 75, the same ranking as Mongolia and worse than Mali, Nigeria, and Guinea. Many neighbouring countries had better rankings, such as Tunisia, which was given a rating of 65.
On the top of the list were the Swedish, British, and Finnish passports. These countries’ passports best provide for its citizens’ rights.
The United States and Germany ranked 2nd.The French, Spanish, Japanese and Canadian passports ranked 3rd.
The ranking is based on the imposed limits, extent of the freedom of traveling, and rights given to citizens by their passports.
In addition, the number of the countries each passport allows its holder to visit without hindering restrictions or difficult procedures was taken into consideration.
Therefore, this ranking shows that the Moroccan passport offers very limited freedom without a visa and provides little protection for its citizens.
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