Olivier De Schutter, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights will visit Morocco from December 6 to 19, 2022 to assess the country’s efforts to end poverty, the UN revealed on November 29.
De Schutter, an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR) to monitor, report, and advise on poverty and human rights, said that Morocco “like most countries, has been left reeling from the double shock of COVID-19 and skyrocketing inflation, with years of progress on poverty now in decline.”
The UN expert stated that he will have the chance to collect additional information during this visit, set to take place in December, to learn more about the state of human rights in light of recent economic crises, and to offer suggestions to the government on safeguarding the most vulnerable people from post-COVID-19 shocks.
The UN recalled that in accordance with the most recent data from the High Commission for Planning of Morocco, the pandemic and increasing consumer costs had contributed to an additional 3.2 million people in Morocco falling into poverty or being vulnerable.
De Schutter said, “As Morocco grapples with the cost-of-living crisis, I will look closely at how its social protection system is protecting those in poverty, and how it can be strengthened to close the country’s deep wealth divide.”
The expert will evaluate the effectiveness of social security programs as well as the nation’s housing, healthcare, and educational systems, said the UN.
The situation of groups who are disproportionately affected by poverty, such as women, children, people with disabilities, elderly people, and migrants, will also be discussed during this visit.
The UN expert will visit the Casablanca region, the province of Ouarzazate, and the Marrakesh-Safi region.
In addition to individuals and communities experiencing poverty, De Schutter2 will also meet with representatives from international and civil society organizations. He will also meet with national and local government authorities.
On December 19 at 11:30 a.m., the Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference at La Tour Hassan Palace in Rabat to discuss his initial findings and suggestions.
In June 2023, his final report will be delivered to the UN Human Rights Council.
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