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Morocco, Spain Boost Cooperation to Face Human Trafficking

Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP
Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP
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Morocco, Spain Boost Cooperation to Face Human Trafficking

Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP
Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP

Spain and Morocco face common challenges in combating international terrorism, organized crime and human trafficking, said Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado.

Following a series of meetings with Moroccan officials during her visit to Morocco, Delgado called for enhancing dialogue, intensifying coordination and continuing bilateral cooperation to achieve the desired goals that serve their common interests.

She expressed hope that this important visit will contribute to strengthening the bridges of trust and consolidating the existing strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Spanish official stressed that Spain, as a member of the European Union, advocated for balanced relations with Morocco, taking into account the interests of both parties.

Delgado held talks in Rabat on Tuesday with Morocco's Justice Minister Mohamed Aujjar, Government Secretary General Mohamed Hajoui and the Speaker.

Judicial cooperation between Morocco and Spain is based on mutual trust due to solid framework of instruments and mechanisms, said Delgado after her meeting with Aujjar.

She pointed out that bilateral cooperation in the field of justice should be placed within the framework of "very close" relations between Morocco and Spain because they are neighbors and real strategic partners.

Meanwhile, Delgado expressed her satisfaction with the great progress made since the adoption of the 2011 constitution, the basic laws on the separation of powers and modernization of the judicial administration.

She noted that this legal framework enabled the strengthening of the judicial institutions of the supreme council of the judiciary and the public prosecution.

"The consolidation of the independence of the judiciary is a fundamental pillar in building democracy and the rule of law.”

Aujjar, for his part, praised the positive outcome of the cooperation between the justice ministries of the two countries.

He welcomed the dynamism of the two judges, who are keen to facilitate, simplify and enhance judicial and technical bilateral cooperation.

The Moroccan minister also pointed to the main features of the reform of the Moroccan judicial system, namely the independence of the judiciary, boosting judicial protection for rights and freedoms, increasing the efficiency of justice, developing the institutional capabilities of the judicial system and modernizing the judicial administration.

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Fishers at a Lebanese Port Hope Ceasefire with Israel Means Normal Life is Returning

Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)
Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)
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Fishers at a Lebanese Port Hope Ceasefire with Israel Means Normal Life is Returning

Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)
Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah brought hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon on Friday, including fishermen who have long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn.
During the last two months of its year fighting Hezbollah, Israel imposed a siege on southern Lebanon that kept hundreds of fishers at this ancient Phoenician port on shore, upending their lives and the industry.
While less important than destruction and displacement, the port siege cut many people off from the key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes like sayadiyeh — fish and rice boiled in fish sauce — or fried and grilled fish eaten with dips such as hummus and tabbouleh or fattoush salads.
The loss of fish damaged a deep association with home, but now the possibility of renewed Lebanese fishing on the country's southern coast is helping fuel hope for a brighter future.
On Friday, a few boats went out close to the shore as fishers in the port worked on the nets of small boats painted white, blue or red.
Hussein Sukmani, 55, said Friday that he was considering going to sea in coming days but was waiting to see how things unfold.
He hasn't dared set sail since the Israel-Hezbollah war dramatically intensified on Sept. 23. “They were days of fear and horror,” he said. "They were the most difficult days of our lives.”
A week ago, a drone strike killed two young fishers in the city as they prepared their nets on the coast, and some fishermen said Friday that the Lebanese army told them that if they headed out it would be at their own risk .
Among those who sailed near the coast on Friday was Walid Darwish, who returned to the port with two plastic boxes filled with mullet.
“Today is the first time that we sail,” Darwish said, adding that fishers had missed the prime season in October and November.
“We lost it,” he said.
The Israeli army barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the border in October and has not said whether the warning is still in effect.
Sukmani said that most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the port have not sailed out of concern since then.
The area around the port is a predominantly Christian neighborhood that has been spared much of the airstrikes on other parts of Tyre that leveled buildings in this city.
In peaceful times, the port is a major tourist attraction, beloved by Lebanese and foreigners who come for the views, the restaurants and the beaches.
On Friday, Mohammed Hammoud walked along the coast of Tyre carrying his fishing rod.
“It is enough that someone is able to stand in this beautiful area,” he said, pointing to the white sands. “Fishing is everything for me,” added Hammoud, who went to fish several times in the area north of the city of Sidon that was not part of the siege.
In the old market of Tyre, Gilbert Spiridon watched from inside his shop as people came to buy freshly brought fish. Before the war, it took hours to sell all his fish to people from around Lebanon.
“All I wish is that the war has ended and we are back on track to the old good days,” he said.