Morocco is Committed to Protecting Diaspora’s Rights in International Conventions

Rabat – The Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita has stressed Morocco’s commitment to protecting the rights and best interests of the Moroccan community residing abroad during the negotiation and conclusion of international agreements.

Bourita made the remarks on Tuesday in a statement to the press, referring to concerns raised by the Moroccan diaspora during the recent legislative session at the House of Representatives. The session discussed the approval of two bills, Bill No. 76.19 and Bill No. 77.19, relating to multilateral agreements.

Originally signed in June 2019, the agreements focused on international efforts to combat tax evasion, terrorism financing, and money laundering, specifically targeting the automatic exchange of financial information and country-by-country reports between authorities.

However, members of the Moroccan community residing abroad have raised concerns about certain provisions within the agreements, which they believe might jeopardize their interests.

In response, the House of Representatives unanimously decided to postpone the approval of the two bills, awaiting comprehensive consultations and modifications, if necessary.

While emphasizing Morocco’s commitment to fighting tax evasion, terrorism financing, and money laundering, Bourita stressed that the country will not take any action that compromises the rights of the diaspora.

He noted that the government has been closely following the debates surrounding certain provisions of the bills, saying that the diaspora has raised “legitimate concerns and pertinent remarks.”

The government has provided a “clear response” to these concerns, added the minister, highlighting that King Mohammed VI sees the diaspora with special attention and care.

Regarding the contentious provisions of the agreements, the minister assured the government’s readiness to provide explanations to dispel any confusion and avoid misinterpretations in the future.

The government is ready to “provide more guarantees by making sure, if necessary, to introduce modifications to certain clauses,” he explained.

In light of the concerns raised, the Moroccan government responded positively to the postponement of the vote on the two bills, Bourita said, noting that this move aims to allow for further clarifications or renegotiations to address the concerns of the Moroccan diaspora.

“All issues affecting the Moroccan community living abroad are important, and all fears and remarks must be taken into consideration,” the foreign minister stressed.

He underlined that no agreement “can be approved before ensuring that all guarantees are met and that the rights of the Moroccan community abroad will not suffer any infringement.”

In addition to the delayed vote on the tax and anti-money laundering agreements, Bourita announced that seven other international conventions were unanimously approved during the same legislative session.