King Mohammed VI Delivers Speech on the Occasion of the 38th Anniversary of Green March

PERSISMA, Rabat (6 November 2013) – On the occasion of the 38th anniversary of the Green March, King Mohammed VI delivered a speech to the nation.

In this speech, King Mohammed VI underlined the ultimate goal of seeing the Moroccan citizens honored as they deserve to be and enjoying full citizenship.

“It is in this spirit that we have undertaken a series of in-depth reforms and large-scale projects, according to a gradual approach that takes account of national specificities,” the sovereign said.

Morocco is committed to positive and interactive cooperation with international human rights bodies which are unbiased in dealing with issues and accept constructive criticism. However, Morocco refuses that some organizations, in reports written beforehand, use some isolated incidents to attempt to undermine its image or trivialize its human rights and development achievements, the King stressed.

Referring to the Sahara issue, the sovereign said that the Moroccan people have an unwavering unanimity over their territorial integrity for which they are mobilized and ready to make all sacrifices. “In fact, the Sahara issue is every Moroccan’s cause with no exception. It is everyone’s duty.”

The monarch went on to say that Morocco has no problem responding positively to the legitimate aspirations of its citizens, wherever they are.

He pointed to the fact that national institutions and regional bodies for the protection and the promotion of human rights have been set up. “These mechanisms are known for their independence and credibility according to related international standards, in parallel to the role played by political parties, NGOs and media outlets,” Mohammed VI said.

The King said that, despite hopeless attempts by Morocco’s foes to undermine its reputation and sovereignty, the Kingdom will continue its cooperation with the UNSG, his personal envoy and sister nations. “Our goal is finding a final political solution to the artificial conflict over our territorial integrity, within the framework of our autonomy initiative which has been recognized for its seriousness, credibility and realistic spirit,” the sovereign added.

On the model of regional development for the southern provinces which was submitted by the economic, social and environment council, the sovereign underlined the will to complete and implement it.

“This is neither a simple proposal of palliative emergency solutions, nor isolated projects disconnected from each other, but rather an integrated developmental vision, based on an objective analysis of the current situation in our southern provinces, with the aim of laying the bases for a long-term integrated policy in the different sectors,” King Mohammed VI stressed.

Economically, this model provides for investment megaprojects to spur economic growth, create wealth and jobs and encourage social, solidarity-based economy. This approach is part of a sustainable development dynamic that takes into consideration the protection of the environment and the preservation of the rights of future generation, mainly by putting emphasis on renewable energy, the monarch said.

Socially, this model relies on a new policy based on solidarity, equity, the preservation of the dignity of the underprivileged, the promotion of human development and the strengthening of social cohesion, the sovereign went on, saying that culturally, this model is aimed at ensuring the promotion of cultures and local specificities, mirroring the status of the Hassani culture in the constitution, one of the Moroccan identity’s components. “This is can be achievable through the integration of this culture in school curricula, upgrading the architecture heritage and boosting the region’s artistic creation.”

He also said that the goal behind this is to turn the southern provinces into an area of integrated development, capable of ensuring a decent life for the populations.

Concerning the African continent, the Monarch said that Morocco has been attached, since the independence, to fostering a fruitful cooperation and active solidarity with African countries and contributing to giving concrete substance to the expectations of their peoples who aspire to development and stability.

”We urge the government to reinforce the means of coordination and cooperation with these brotherly countries in the different areas, particularly for the conclusion of free trade agreements in the prospect of achieving regional economic integration,” the sovereign underscored.

Morocco has repeatedly reaffirmed the pressing need to face security threats in the Sahel and the Sahara region which has become a hotbed for extremist and terrorist groups, and drug, human and arm trafficking, with all the disastrous consequences they have on the region’s development and stability, he noted.

On the issue of the growing number of immigrants from Africa and Europe, “we called on the government to elaborate a new comprehensive policy on immigration and asylum issues, pursuant to a humanitarian approach in conformity with our country’s international commitments and respectful of immigrants’ rights,” he said.

Morocco’s credibility in terms of human rights is confirmed by how this initiative was welcomed by parties that are directly concerned by the problem, in addition to brotherly sub-Saharan countries, the European Union and UN bodies involved in the migratory phenomenon and human rights, the Monarch underlined, adding that, to bolster this orientation, Morocco had submitted, on the sidelines of the UNGA this year, the “African alliance for migration and development” initiative.

This initiative is based on a shared African vision and humanitarian principles that should govern migration matters. It is also based on shared responsibility between origin, transit and host countries, and on the close link between immigration and development, King Mohammed VI said.

Because the migration issue concerns all states and peoples, Mohammed VI urged the international community to get involved in this issue to avert humanitarian catastrophes it generates as the tragedy that recently occurred on the coast of Italian island Lampedusa.

Below the full text of the Royal Speech:

” Praise be to God.

Prayer and salvation upon the Prophet, his family and his companions. Dear people.

Today we celebrate the 38th anniversary of the Green March . Our determination is strong to stay the course, animated by the same spirit of genuine patriotism and collective mobilization to preserve the territorial integrity of our country and strengthen its integrated development.

If the Green March allowed the recovery of our southern provinces, the other steps involved in our leadership, are doomed, they, the consolidation of civil and political rights and the further promotion of the new generation of economic, social, cultural and environmental. Our aim is to see the Moroccan citizen honored as it should be, pledged attributes of a full citizenship.

It is in this spirit that we have undertaken a series of major reforms and major projects. We have enrolled in a phased approach, which takes account of national specificities and away empty slogans for media consumption, while rejecting the hasty reactions to developments and national and international events.

However, some parties and some people use them for purposes specious space of freedom and openness enjoyed by Morocco, especially in our southern provinces.

Morocco is certainly attached to cooperation and positive interaction with international organizations of human rights that are objective in the treatment of matters affecting them, and accepts no liability constructive criticism. However, he refuses that organizations, in reports prepared in advance, as a pretext for some isolated to try to undermine his image or trivialize its achievements in human rights and development actions.

Some, for example, tend unfairly and maliciously to add faith to anyone who claims that one of his duties was touched, or has been subjected to torture while ignoring court decisions, and even skipping over what Morocco completes action on the ground.

Indeed, it is reasonable to think that Morocco respects human rights in the north and in the south transgress?

All states refuse to be subjected to intrusive behavior to their security and stability, especially as violence, subversion and intimidation of citizens are incompatible with human rights, and that exercise of freedom can only be done in compliance with the law.

If international stance for the most part an objective and realistic, it is, however, regrettable that some states are part of the above process , by knowingly ignore the achievements of our country, especially in the field of human Rights and Freedoms.

This confusion and ambiguity in the positions legitimize this question: Are there a crisis of confidence between Morocco and some decision-making centers in strategic partners on the issue of human rights in our southern provinces?

In fact, the very act of asking this question indicates that there is something wrong here. Dear people,

I do not want to get involved in the legal and political aspects of the question of our territorial integrity, and different resolutions of the Security Council, I have already mentioned to you several times. But I want to clarify for you the reasons behind certain positions hostile to Morocco.

Some states are content to entrust the care officials to monitor the situation in Morocco. However, some of them are either poorly disposed toward our country, influenced by the theories of our opponents. And they watch sometimes, unfortunately, in the preparation of records and false reports, on which officials stopped some of their positions.

These words, I’m the book, dear people, for the first time, but it is something that I always like, especially the leaders of major countries, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and its employees.

But the main reason for this unfair attitude towards Morocco , primarily due to money and benefits in which opponents attempt to buy votes and positions of some organizations hostile to our country.

They squander the kind of wealth and resources of a sister nation, this is not an issue, but rather stands as an obstacle to integration of the Maghreb.

Our faithful is distinguished by its unwavering unanimity around its territorial integrity, for which it is collectively mobilized and willing to make any sacrifice. Indeed, the cause of the Sahara is the cause of all Moroccans without exception. It is a duty which we are all stakeholders.

Morocco, thank God, has no complex to respond positively to the legitimate aspirations of its citizens, wherever they are.

Thus we have, by our own will, made the establishment of national institutions and regional mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights, mechanisms that are known and recognized for their independence and credibility to international standards, and this, along with the role of political parties, NGOs and the media.

This means that Morocco refuses to receive lessons on the subject , especially from those who systematically violate human rights. Anyone wishing to outbid Morocco has to go to Tindouf and observe in many surrounding areas, the damage caused to the most basic human rights.

Despite the desperate attempts of the opponents of Morocco to undermine its reputation and sovereignty, we will continue our cooperation with the United Nations Secretary-General, his Personal Envoy and friendly countries. Our goal is to find a lasting political solution to the artificial conflict over our territorial integrity, as part of our Independence Initiative, which is renowned for its reliability, credibility and realistic mind.

Similarly, we do not intend to jeopardize the future of our southern provinces, and subordinate to the development of the Sahara at the United Nations. Instead, we’ll continue our all-out action of integrated development.

Dear people,

Everyone knows the considerable efforts made by Morocco to the development of its southern provinces.

Indeed, in the context of national solidarity, and contrary to the claims of the opponents of Morocco on alleged exploitation of the wealth of the Sahara, a significant portion of resources and wealth of the central and northern regions of Morocco, is dedicated to the satisfaction of needs of our citizens in the South, as confirmed by all indicators and economic data for the region.

Anxious to strengthen this process, we mean complete the development and implementation of regional development model for our southern provinces, which was submitted to Our High Appreciation by the Economic, Social and Environmental Council.

It is not a simple proposition of workarounds for an emergency situation, or individual projects disconnected from each other, but rather an integrated developmental vision, based on an objective analysis of the actual situation in our southern provinces, in order to lay the founding of an integrated policy bases, long-term, in different areas.

This model, We want multidimensional , based on the commitment to the values of work and effort, merit and equal opportunities, a model looking to the future, where women and youth occupy a particular.

In economic terms, this model is based on mega investment to stimulate economic growth, create wealth and employment and promote social economy. This approach is part of a sustainable development process that takes into consideration the protection of the environment and the preservation of the rights of future generations, particularly focusing on renewable energy.

In social terms, this model is based on a new policy based on solidarity, equity, preserving the dignity of vulnerable groups , the promotion of human development and the strengthening of social cohesion.

On the cultural side, the model aims to ensure the promotion of local cultures and specificities, reflecting the emphasis in the Constitution to the Hassani culture, a component of the Moroccan identity unified. This is notably the inclusion of this culture in the curriculum, development of architectural heritage and the promotion of artistic creation in the region.

We want to ensure that they meet the conditions for success for this ambitious project focused on creativity and participation. Thus, efficient mechanisms for responsible governance will be made available to this project, which is part of the advanced regionalization, which gives wide powers to the elected councils.

Our ultimate goal is to make our southern provinces space integrated development capable of ensuring a dignified life for the people of the region. It is also to strengthen the geostrategic significance of these provinces as a regional hub connection and exchange between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.

Dear people,

Our southern provinces have formed, over history, African extension of Morocco, embodying the geographical, human and trade ties secular, that unite our country in sub-Saharan African states.

True to his African belonging, Morocco has sought since independence to promote fruitful cooperation and active solidarity with those countries, and to contribute to the realization of the expectations of their peoples who aspire to the development and stability.

Although Morocco, a founding member of the Organization of African Unity, do not seat in the African Union, however, work to strengthen and diversify its economic relations with the countries of the continent and to encourage mutual investment between them, both bilaterally and through the bodies and regional groupings.

On the regional and international levels , our country worked tirelessly to uphold the cause of the African continent, including those related to its development.

Having heart to inject a renewed momentum to these relations, We always used in conjunction with our brothers the leaders of these countries , which unite us deep bonds of brotherhood, love and understanding, to give them human nature and to reach the level of solidarity successful partnerships.

Evidenced by the visits that we perform in many African brothers, and concrete development projects they carry, and give priority to human development, infrastructure and the strengthening of religious and spiritual ties that have always united peoples brothers of these countries to Morocco and our person, Amir al-Mu’minin.

Furthermore, we the Moroccan experience available to our African brothers in all areas of common interest, while tying us to promote the exchange of expertise and involvement of the private sector and civil society associations civil.

In this context, we urge the government to strengthen the means of coordination and cooperation with the brotherly countries in various fields, especially for the conclusion of free trade agreements with them, in preparation for a regional economic integration.

Meanwhile, our country has spared no effort to contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in different regions of the continent, and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, as well as operations of peacekeeping under the auspices of the United Nations.

Likewise, Morocco has never ceased to reiterate the need to address security threats that knows the Sahel and Sahara, now become a space for extremist and terrorist groups, drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings and arms trafficking, with adverse implications for the development and stability of the region.

Our support to the brotherly country, the Republic of Mali, in its fight against gangs of extremism and terrorism, and our personal presence at the inauguration of its new president, merely reflect our sincere commitment to causes related to peace and the rule of law in the countries of the continent. Dear people,

The special relationship between Morocco to the sub-Saharan Africa are not only political and economic. These are, basically, human relationships and secular spiritual.

Given the situation in some of these countries, many of their citizens immigrating to Morocco a legally or illegally. Once gateway to Europe, our country has turned into a destination of residence.

Given the significant increase in the number of immigrants from Africa or Europe, we urged the government to develop a new comprehensive policy on immigration and asylum issues, according to a humanitarian approach in line with international commitments our country and respect the rights of immigrants.

To illustrate the interest that we attach to this aspect , we held a ministerial department in charge of immigration issues.

The credibility of Morocco’s human rights is confirmed , among others, the highly favorable reception that this initiative has met with the parties directly affected by this issue, and especially sub-Saharan Africa brothers states the European Union, and the various UN bodies and organizations, regional and international organizations by migration and human rights.

To reinforce this orientation, Morocco presented on the sidelines of the General Assembly this year, the initiative of the African Alliance for Migration and Development.

This is an initiative focused on a common African vision and humanitarian principles governing the migration issues. It is also based on shared responsibility between countries of origin, transit and destination, and the close link between migration and development.

Because the migration issue for all countries and all peoples, we urge the international community to be heavily involved in the treatment of this phenomenon, in order to prevent humanitarian disasters it causes, such as the tragedy of the coast the Italian island of Lampedusa has recently occurred, and we all felt painfully.

Dear people,

Opening increasingly marked Morocco on his African environment and the continued efforts to defend the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and promote the development of our southern provinces, are the best guarantee of loyalty oath to eternal on the green , and pristine memory of its leader, Augustus Our Father, his late Majesty King Hassan II, may God bless his grave, and the memory of the brave martyrs of the homeland.

This is an opportunity for us to pay tribute to all members of the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Auxiliary Forces, National Security, civil protection and Territorial Administration for their continued involvement and dedication in defending the integrity, security and stability of the homeland .

Wassalamou alaikoum warhamatoullahi wabarakatouh”.