Rights & Duties of Refugees and Asylum-seekers

Duties of Refugees and Asylum-seekers

  • Comply with all Moroccan laws.
  • Respect people, regardless of age, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, political opinion, ethnicity, skin color, as well as public and private organizations and institutions.
  • Renew your UNHCR documents.
  • Keep UNHCR aware of your residence, telephone number, email and any changes in your personal situation.

Rights of Refugees and Asylum-seekers

  • Non-Refoulement: Refugees and asylum seekers cannot be returned or expelled to a country where their lives or physical integrity are at risk of being violated and in no circumstances shall be returned to their country of origin. If you are prosecuted and face an extradition or expulsion procedure, you have the right to free legal assistance provided by UNHCR’s partner through the legal counselling and assistance unit.
  • Non-Penalization: Asylum seekers and Refugees have the right not to be investigated or fined for their irregular entry into Moroccan territory.
  • Legal Assistance: Refugees and asylum seekers have the right to free legal assistance provided by UNHCR’s partner. (Visit Legal assistance for more information)
  • Protection against sexual and gender-based violence: In Morocco, any form of violence against women, based on gender identity, is a crime. Women who are victims of violence have the right to medical assistance and to report the criminal act by going to police stations specialized in combating violence against women.(for more information click here)
  • Health: Refugees and asylum seekers have the right to access primary healthcare at public health centers. (for more information click here)
  • Education: Refugees have the right to attend public schools – Basic, Middle or High schools – as well as to take part in professional and technical capacity building public programs. (For more information on education, please click here)
  • Birth registration: Birth registration in the civil registry establishes the existence of a person under the law and lays the foundation for safeguarding civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. As a fundamental human right, every child has the right to be registered at birth. To register new-born children in Morocco, parents must:
    • Obtain a birth notice from the hospital where the child was born;
    • Go to the registry office of your child’s place of birth with the birth notice issued by the doctor and your identity documents (residence card, refugee/asylum-seeking documents or passport) within 30 days from your child’s birth. (for more information click here)

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION! Under Moroccan law birth registration procedures must be completed within 30 days following birth. If parents miss the deadline, a court procedure is required to obtain a birth certificate. UNHCR and its legal partner will assist you during legal procedures.

 

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