Minister of State in charge of Human Rights and Relations with Parliament Mustapha Ramid announced Monday that Morocco has decided to run for a seat on the Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2023-2025 term, with the support of the African Union, the League of Arab States, and several other regional groupings.
“Morocco’s candidacy has the support of the African Union, the League of Arab States as well as several other regional groupings and friendly countries,” said Ramid who was speaking through video-conference during the High-level Segment under the 46th session of the U.N. Human Rights Council.
In that regard, the Minister of State highlighted Morocco’s dynamic interaction with UN human rights mechanisms and its openness to the special procedures of the Human Rights Council.
Morocco, he said, continued the implementation of its commitments in collaboration with treaty bodies, highlighting the ongoing interaction with the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Similarly, as part of consolidating its serious commitment to the momentum of reforming the treaty body system, the Kingdom has adopted the simplified procedure for the presentation of a number of its periodic reports.
Likewise, Morocco continues to be open to the special procedures of the HRC by extending an official invitation to the Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation to visit Morocco later this year to focus on efforts and challenges in this area.
Ramid also focused on the national approach adopted by Morocco, pursuant to the High Instructions of HM King Mohammed VI, to address the coronavirus pandemic and remedy its effects.
This approach stands out by its proactivity, complementarity and comprehensiveness while ensuring a fair balance between the precautionary measures taken, the challenges of the economic and social context and international commitments in the field of human rights, he noted.
Since the end of last month, Morocco has been ensuring the smooth running of the national campaign of free vaccination against Covid-19 for the benefit of all Moroccans and foreigners residing in the Kingdom, the official recalled.
As part of its commitment to the values of international solidarity in such exceptional circumstances, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2532 (July 2020), and in harmony with its vision of Africa, Morocco has spared no effort to provide adequate support and assistance to several brotherly and friendly African countries to cope with the pandemic, he said.
On the Moroccan Sahara, Ramid reiterated Morocco’s commitment and attachment to the UN process for a compromise on a realistic and pragmatic political solution that respects the Kingdom’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity.
“The autonomy initiative, as a serious and credible proposal, remains the only basis for reaching a final settlement to this bogus regional dispute,” he said.
The other parties are called upon to assume their responsibilities and engage seriously and in good faith in the political process of the round tables in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, Ramid added.
The Moroccan official drew attention to the ordeal endured by the populations in the Tindouf camps in Algeria. “While the development projects implemented in the southern provinces of the Kingdom of Morocco have had a very positive impact on the living conditions of the population, it is clear that some of our citizens held against their will in the Tindouf camps live in dramatic conditions, in violation of the principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” he stated.
According to Ramid, urgent action is needed to free these people, especially children exploited and recruited by armed militias in flagrant violation of the relevant international charters.
He also recalled Morocco’s peaceful and legitimate intervention at the El Guerguarat crossing in the buffer zone, after it was obstructed and blocked by armed elements of the polisario, in flagrant disregard of the repeated calls of the UN Secretary-General and the decisions of the Security Council.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.