Morocco renewed Wednesday in Geneva its commitment to strengthening the international human rights system, calling for international treaty obligations to be translated into concrete collective initiatives able to respond to current global shifts.
Speaking during the general segment of the high level portion of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, ministerial delegate for human rights Mohamed El Habib Belkouch said the challenge is to build on the existing international normative framework while delivering practical action suited to emerging issues.
Belkouch reaffirmed Morocco’s attachment to multilateralism and urged stronger support for the international human rights architecture. He voiced full backing for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and praised the High Commissioner’s personal engagement on priorities including prevention of violations, strengthening national capacities, and integrating rights based approaches into public policy. He said a results oriented approach improves the effectiveness of UN action.
Belkouch said Morocco continues to pursue structural reforms aimed at advancing equality and safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms, citing royal directives and the country’s 2011 Constitution as the framework for ongoing institutional work.
At the Human Rights Council, he said Morocco would continue efforts to contribute to consensus around core standards governing the council’s mechanisms. He announced Morocco will soon host two international initiatives to strengthen cooperation on human rights.
The first is a specialized retreat planned before summer to examine reform of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism as it approaches its fifth cycle. The second is a thematic event on the prevention of torture aimed at promoting exchange of best practices among national mechanisms, independent institutions and international partners.
Belkouch said Morocco’s approach to peace links security, human dignity and development, in line with the 2030 Agenda, and he stressed support for expanding women’s participation in decision making, multilateral diplomacy and conflict prevention.
The session runs until March 31, with more than 80 reports and around 20 interactive dialogues on issues including torture, cultural rights, food, environment, counterterrorism and privacy.
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