smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Morocco
| Morocco overall | This Advice is current for Monday, 13 October 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Western Sahara | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Where to Get Help (new embassy telephone number). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Morocco because of the high threat of terrorist attack against Western interests. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Terrorist attacks have occurred in places frequented by foreigners. Incidents include:
Moroccan security forces continue to arrest people for allegedly planning assassinations of political figures, military officials or members of the Jewish community, and for planning terrorist acts targeted at Moroccan Government facilities and tourist sites: 32 people were arrested in February 2008; 51 in January 2008; and 50 in August 2006.
Recent credible reports indicate that terrorists may be planning to kidnap foreigners travelling between Morocco and Mauritania.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. These include places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, embassies, places of worship, outdoor recreation events, markets, transport, cinemas and tourist areas. Targets may also include casinos, venues where alcohol is served or consumed and places and institutions associated with Western interests.
Political developments in the region may prompt demonstrations and protests. These demonstrations could turn violent and should be avoided. You should also read our travel bulletin entitled Release of a film by Netherlands MP Geert Wilders.
Crime levels are high. Travellers have been mugged when walking on deserted beaches and poorly lit streets at night. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, continues to increase. Crime and aggressive begging near ATM machines are increasing. There are increasing reports of acts of violence associated with theft.
There are reports of banditry and extortion in the Rif Mountain region and of theft, intimidation and kidnappings in the coastal region around Asilah.
Credit card fraud such as double billing and scams such as substituting inferior goods for those that were actually purchased are common.
Intimidation is sometimes used to force customers to purchase goods. In popular tourist areas, including Tangier, Fez, Marrakech, Agadir and Essaouira, aggressive begging and harassment of tourists by men posing as official tourist guides is common.
The land border between Morocco and Algeria is currently closed. You should not attempt to cross it at any point.
Travellers should exercise caution when driving, particularly on mountain roads and major highways and should avoid road travel at night outside urban areas due to the risk of motor accidents with other vehicles and animals. Since December 2006, there have been several fatal bus crashes on intercity routes and the number of annual fatalities from road accidents in Morocco remains high.
Single female travellers may find themselves the object of unwanted attention particularly in markets, beaches and sites associated with tourism, and should avoid walking alone in deserted areas and at night.
Western Sahara: We strongly advise you not to travel to the Western Sahara because of the risk posed by landmines. There are thousands of unexploded land mines throughout the region, especially adjacent to the border with Mauritania, and there have been reports of exploding landmines and landmines shifting away from the border area due to the movement of sand dunes.
If, despite this advice, you decide to travel to the Western Sahara you should be aware that travel from Morocco is restricted by the Moroccan Government and you will need to obtain permission from Moroccan authorities.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns this will be included in travel advice.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Parts of Morocco are subject to earthquakes and flash flooding.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and Euros or US dollars cash. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Morocco, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include long prison sentences, even for possession of so called 'soft drugs'.
Sentences for serious offences, such as high treason, terrorism, multiple murder and rape, include the death penalty.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Morocco and penalties include imprisonment. Heterosexual relations outside marriage are also illegal.
Non-Muslims who attempt to enter mosques in Morocco may be detained and deported unless the mosque is open to the general public.
Taking photographs of official buildings and government and military installations and taking photographs in the vicinity of these places can lead to detention.
It is illegal to preach religions other than Islam and to import religious materials other than those relating to Islam.
Possessing pornographic material is illegal.
Acts or statements criticising or denigrating the monarchy are illegal and can result in prosecution and detention.
Travellers should not consume alcohol in public places, particularly in traditional and rural areas.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
There are strong Islamic codes of dress and behaviour in Morocco, particularly for women, and you should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.
During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims.
Public displays of affection can cause offence particularly in rural and traditional areas and near mosques, religious shrines and religions educational institutes.
Couples who cannot provide proof of marriage may be refused accommodation in some rural and traditional areas.
Although Morocco now recognises dual nationality, Moroccan citizenship takes primacy over the second nationality, especially concerning issues such as military service and parental custody. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Moroccan dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We recommend you travel on your Australian passport at all times.
Military service of 18 months is compulsory for Moroccan males (including dual nationals) over the age of 18. You should check your military service obligations with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Morocco before you travel to Morocco.
Children of Moroccan fathers automatically acquire Moroccan citizenship at birth. An amendment to Morocco's 1958 Nationality Code was adopted on 18 January 2007. The amendment allows Moroccan women who are married to foreigners to pass on their Moroccan citizenship to their children. Child custody decisions are based on local Islamic law. You should consult a lawyer for advice on custody disputes to find out if you may be prevented from leaving Morocco with your children.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Morocco for the most up to date information.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicine and staying healthy while overseas.
While the standard of medical facilities in Rabat and major cities is generally good, medical services in smaller cities and rural and remote areas can be extremely limited. Private hospitals can insist on up-front payment prior to admission. Inability to pay may delay treatment.
Insect-borne diseases (such as leishmaniasis and typhus) are common in Morocco. Malaria is less common. We recommend you take precautions against being bitten by insects, including using an insect repellent.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis and meningitis) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes, raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis ('bilharzia'). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Morocco. By agreement between the Canadian and Australian governments, the local Canadian Embassy provides consular assistance to Australians in Morocco. This service does not include the issue of Australian passports. Contact details are:
Canadian Embassy
13 Bis, Rue Jaafa-as Sadik
Rabat-Agdal
Morocco
Telephone (212) 37 68 7400
Facsimile (212) 37 68 7430
Email: rabat@international.gc.ca
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-11:00 hrs
You can also obtain consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in France:
Australian Embassy
4 Rue Jean Rey
75724 Cedex 15
Paris, France
Telephone (33 1) 4059 3300
Facsimile (33 1) 4059 3315
Website http://www.france.embassy.gov.au/
If you are travelling to Morocco, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency -whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
