Morocco, Sweden sign agreement protocol on child protection

Morocco and Sweden signed, on Friday, a protocol agreement to create a joint consultative commission on civil issues, mainly child protection.

    Signed by Justice Minister, Abdelwahed Radi, and Sweden Ambassador in Rabat, Klas Gierow, this agreement protocol aims to examine means and appropriate formulas to ensure the respects of the rights of children who are separated from their parents, and to take the necessary measures to enable the parent, deprived of custody, to exercise the right of visitation. 

    The agreement aims to simplify the settlement of civil disagreements, and encourages the parties to the conflict to seek more amicable solutions. It also favors the exchange of information within judicial cooperation.

    Radi said the commission would tackle the problems faced by the Swedish and Moroccan communities, notably children victim of separation from parents.
 
    This agreement will encourage the two countries to find solutions to the conflicts that could occur among Moroccan expatriate in Sweden, or between Moroccans and Swedish nationals.

    For his part, the Swedish diplomat noted that the agreement serves as a platform for cooperation between Morocco and Sweden, adding that authorities of both countries should work to improve children rights. 
 
    The joint consultative commission will hold periodical meeting, at least once a year, and will issue a report on the topics dealt with.

    The signing of this agreement coincides with the 245th anniversary of the signature of the first Moroccan-Swedish Convention in 1763.

    Some 10,000 Moroccans live in Sweden, while Swedish nationals established in Morocco is estimated at 200.

MAP