Mr Voronkov, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) concluded a two-day visit to Rabat, Morocco at the invitation of the government. He held consultations with high-level officials of the Kingdom of Morocco as part of efforts to increase engagement with countries in Northern Africa.
With H.E. Nasser Bourita, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr Voronkov discussed ways to increase capacity-building collaboration in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism through sharing Morocco’s experience, expertise and good practices, including those identified by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) in its country visit report. Mr Voronkov invited the government of Morocco to participate in the United Nations Counter Terrorism Week to be held in New York from June 30 to July 2, 2020.
During his meetings with senior officials, Mr Voronkov welcomed Morocco’s comprehensive approach to preventing and countering terrorism, highlighted its role as a key contributor to the international efforts to address the scourge of counter-terrorism and thanked its strong support to UNOCT. He praised Morocco for its Chairmanship of Group of Friends of Combating Terrorism and its Co-Chairmanship of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF), as well as its role as a valuable member of the New York based Groups of Friends of Victims of Terrorism and the Advisory Board of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT). He also highlighted the contribution of Morocco in number of capacity-building projects on youth empowerment to prevent violent extremism, preventing nuclear terrorism and the role of parliamentarians in preventing and countering terrorism.
Welcoming the active participation of Moroccan representatives in the Regional Counter-Terrorism Conference that took place in Abu Dhabi in December 2019, Mr Voronkov underscored the prominent role of Moroccan youth in the workshop dedicated to the collaboration with civil society organizations.
The Under-Secretary-General commended Morocco for its efforts in repatriating its nationals with links to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). He reiterated the United Nations’ commitment to support States in the repatriation and post repatriation processes to effectively address the situation of returning Foreign terrorist fighters and their families while upholding human rights.
At the conclusion of the visit Mr Voronkov met with Ms. Amina Bouayach, President of the National Human Rights Council, as well as civil society organisations, including the President of the Moroccan Association of Victims of Terrorism. He paid tribute to the victims of terrorism in Morocco and around the world. He said that the first Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism scheduled to take place during the Counter-Terrorism Week aims to highlight the plight of victims of terrorism and their role in building resilient societies.
During the visit, Mr Voronkov also met with Mr Yassine Mansouri, Director General of the external intelligence agency (DGED); Mr Jawhar Nfissi, President of the Moroccan Financial Information Processing Unit (FIU); Dr Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary General of the Rabbita Muhammadia of the Oulema; Mr Mohamed Salah Tamek, Delegate-General of Morocco’s Penitentiary and Reintegration Administration; and Mr Abdelhak Khiame, Director of the Central Bureau of Investigations.
The Under-Secretary-General also visited the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines and Morchidates.
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