Human trafficking cases in Morocco surge by 23% in 2023

The number of human trafficking cases in Morocco saw a 23% rise in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to government data reported by Hespress.

A report from the country’s Public Prosecution Office, responsible for investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases, recorded 110 new incidents. The majority of victims were trafficked within Morocco, while 19 cases involved transnational trafficking.

In total, 169 individuals were identified as trafficking victims, with many lacking formal education. Most victims were exploited for sexual purposes, while others were subjected to forced labor, begging, recruitment into armed conflicts, and involvement in criminal networks. Six cases were specifically linked to organized criminal gangs.

Authorities prosecuted 171 individuals for human trafficking offenses in 2023, marking a 10.53% increase from the 153 prosecutions in 2022. Additionally, trafficking-related complaints rose sharply, with 92 formal complaints filed in 2023—a 37% jump from the previous year.

Despite these developments, a U.S. State Department report states that Morocco has yet to fully meet the minimum standards for eradicating human trafficking, although efforts to combat the issue are ongoing.