Morocco was not directly involved in the process to develop a Political Declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. It was, however, among the first group of states to endorse the Political Declaration in Dublin in November 2022. At the signing ceremony in Dublin in November 2022, Morocco recognised the harm caused by explosive weapons in populated areas, particularly to women and children, and expressed concern about the lack of accountability by non-state actors. Morocco also underlined the danger caused by the inaccuracy of the weapons, and said its armed forces are trained in compliance with IHL.1
Statements and positions
Morocco attended the first international follow-up conference for the Political Declaration in Oslo, Norway in April 2024. During the panel on military policies and practices, Morocco emphasised its adherence to international humanitarian law and highlighted national policies and practices that can prevent and limit the impact of explosive weapons on civilians. This includes:
- assessing the risks and challenges associated with the protection of civilians in operational planning and in military exercises;
- rules of engagement that give priority to protecting civilians during military operations;
- acquiring weapons and equipment to mitigate collateral damage, such as precision guided munitions or technology that can estimate collateral damage, and;
- the establishment of civil-military coordination mechanisms to facilitate regular communication and coordination between the Royal Armed Forces and humanitarian organisations2.
Morocco also stated that it was committed to collaborating with international partners and sharing knowledge and best practices because it recognises the importance of collective efforts to promote the Political Declaration3.
During the June 2012 UN Security Council Open Debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict Morocco noted that “the use of artillery against urban zones, and the shelling of buildings and social edifices such as hospitals, schools and places of worship, are not only contrary to international humanitarian and human rights law but are, above all, unjustified and unjustifiable. It is our collective duty to put an end to it.”4 In 2018, Morocco issued a statement regarding the use of explosive weapons in populated areas during the Annual Meeting of High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, recognising the humanitarian harm from explosive weapons in populated areas, and noting the process for a Political Declaration on the topic5.
Alongside its individual statements, Morocco has also aligned with other states to deliver statements on explosive weapons in populated areas. At the Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons in 2024, a working paper submitted by the Arab Group, of which Morocco is a member, drew attention to the Political Declaration, and the importance of strengthening civilian protection from the humanitarian consequences of explosive weapons in populated areas.6 Though Morocco did not participate in the 2017 Maputo Regional Meeting on Protecting Civilians from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, it nevertheless expressed its support for the resulting Matupo Communiqué7.
Morocco is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is aligned with the World Humanitarian Summit Core Commitments to “Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity”, in May 2016, including the commitment: “to promote and enhance the protection of civilians and civilian objects, especially in the conduct of hostilities, for instance by working to prevent civilian harm resulting from the use of wide-area explosive weapons in populated areas, and by sparing civilian infrastructure from military use in the conduct of military operations”8.