Welcome To Morocco !!!

30.12.2006

Je ne suis pas in the mood blogging ces derniers temps, quoique j’aurais aimé poster sur un tas de sujets !
En parcourant le site de l’ambassade d’Australie en France (va comprendre pourquoi ? ;-), j’ai trouvé des renseignements fournis par l’état d’Australie pour les touristes désirant visiter notre cher pays !
J’étais choquée, je croyais qu’on parlait d’un autre coin ! Je partage quelques passages avec vous…

“Safety and Security

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in 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. In August 2006 Moroccan security forces arrested over 50 people who were allegedly planning terrorist attacks on both Moroccan government facilities and tourist sites inside .
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets. These include places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas.

Crime

There are reports of banditry and extortion in the Rif Mountain region and of theft, intimidation and kidnappings in the coastal region around Asilah.
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.
Credit card fraud 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 Tangiers, Fez, Marrakech, Agadir and Essaouira, aggressive begging and harassment of tourists by men posing as official tourist guides is common.

Local Laws

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include long prison sentences, even for possession of so called 'soft drugs'.
Penalties for serious offences include the death penalty.
Homosexual acts are illegal in and penalties include imprisonment. Heterosexual relations outside marriage are also illegal.
Non-Muslims who attempt to enter mosques in may be detained and deported unless the mosque is open to the general public.
Taking photographs of, or near, government or military installations can lead to detention.

Local customs

There are strong Islamic codes of dress and behaviour in , particularly for women, and you should take care not to offend.
Single female travellers may find themselves the object of unwanted attention particularly in markets, beaches and sites associated with tourism.

Health Issues

We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling, taking prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and using an insect repellent. Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, typhoid, hepatitis, bilharzia and tuberculosis) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes and uncooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.”

Pour plus d’infos