Morocco addresses human trafficking's digital shift with focus on civil society engagement
via Le Matin7 min read
On July 9, the National Commission for the Coordination of Measures to Combat and Prevent Human Trafficking CNCLT, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC, the International Organization for Migration IOM, and the International Labour Organization ILO, held its annual meeting for civil society associations in Rabat. The meeting focused on "Online scams: what role for civil society organizations in Morocco, and what synergies with public and private actors?" This year's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons theme, "Trapped behind the scam," highlights how organized criminal networks have moved to digital platforms, recruiting victims through fictitious profiles and enticing job offers. Hicham Mellati, Director of Criminal Affairs, Pardons, and Crime Detection, and coordinating president of the CNCLT, noted the profound transformations in human trafficking, with criminals exploiting modern technology and social media. Siham Al Figuigui, Director of the UNODC office in Morocco, emphasized that trafficking has become lucrative, hybrid, and digital, thriving on social, economic, and political vulnerabilities. Rahim Amraoui, national focal point for labor migration at the ILO, highlighted forced labor often hidden behind online job scams, particularly affecting children and young people. The CNCLT identified a lack of specialized civil society associations in Morocco dedicated to combating human trafficking. To address this, the CNCLT plans to crea
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
The Noor Ouarzazate III solar power plant has experienced another technical shutdown after a routine inspection on June 22 revealed a molten salt leak. This incident occurred despite the plant operating in a "conservative" mode since its restart on April 5, 2025, following repairs to the initial tank. Although a new tank had been completed and auxiliary infrastructure was being finalized, a decrease in molten salt volume and localized temperature increases under the tank's base and foundations were observed. Data analysis from the preceding two months had not indicated any anomalies in monitored parameters such as temperatures, pressures, flows, and vibrations. At the time of the incident, the plant was operating with a limited salt level of 2.3 meters and a temperature below 520 degrees Celsius. Safety measures were implemented to protect personnel and equipment. The duration of this shutdown is currently undetermined but could extend until the end of October to allow for necessary technical inspections and repairs. This follows a major shutdown in February 2024, which idled the 150-megawatt plant for fourteen months before its resumption in April 2025.
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BreakingIran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated on X that Iran has kept its word, emphasizing that respect must be mutual. This comes as clashes between Iran and the United States resumed on Tuesday, marking the most significant exchanges since a memorandum of understanding was signed on June 17 to end the war that began on February 28 with an Israeli-American attack on Iran. US President Donald Trump reiterated on Friday that the ceasefire was "over" but agreed to continue discussions with Tehran. Trump claimed Iran requested to continue talks, a claim denied by an Iranian diplomatic spokesperson, who also announced Araghchi's visit to Oman on Saturday to discuss the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Tehran now permits only one shipping lane along its coast and rejects a return to pre-war conditions where passage through the strait, which normally handles a fifth of global hydrocarbon trade, was free. The US struck Iran for two consecutive nights, attributing attacks on three commercial vessels in the strait to Tehran. In retaliation, Iran targeted Gulf neighbors, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, a mediator in the conflict. On Friday evening, Trump accused Tehran of plotting his assassination, threatening to annihilate Iran if such an attempt occurred. He stated that 1,000 missiles were ready and pointed at Iran, with thousands more to follow if the threat to assassinate the US President was carried out. Trump added that orders had been given for the US military to decimate a