2. Views expressed by member and observer States of
the Council on the review outcome
288. The Netherlands commended the Moroccan delegation on the transparent way it had handled the review. It was noted with appreciation that Morocco had agreed to almost all the recommendations that had been made during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group, including its recommendation to continue implementing the remaining recommendations of the Instance Equité et Réconciliation. The Netherlands further asked if Morocco could inform the Council not only of the progress made in the implementation of the agreed recommendations, but also when it would reconsider its position on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and on extending a standing invitation to all thematic special procedures on a voluntary basis.
289. Tunisia thanked Morocco for its outstanding statement and commended Morocco on its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. The progress made in that area showed the desire often expressed by Moroccan authorities to make human rights a reality in everyday life. Tunisia noted Morocco’s achievements in strengthening its Constitution, harmonizing legislation, and ratifying almost all the international instruments in the area of human rights. Tunisia commended it on the results achieved by the National Initiative for Human Development a plan of action for the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights in Morocco. Tunisia encouraged Morocco to continue its efforts for the well-being of all Moroccans.
290. Qatar, speaking on behalf of the Group of Arab States, congratulated Morocco for its progress on human rights. Morocco was commended on its role in the establishment of the universal periodic review mechanism. Morocco had taken seriously the recommendations of the Working Group. It has speeded up steps towards a culture of human rights through training and education, especially for law enforcement officials, and it has safeguarded the protection of minorities, women, children, the disabled and migrants. The Arab Group reiterated its appreciation of Morocco’s achievements in the field of human rights and fundamental rights, recalling the results of the Instance Equité et Réconciliation, which has assured a convergence between various sectors of the Moroccan society. Qatar further noted that Morocco has adopted various measures to give a new impetus to human rights. Qatar stressed that Morocco has speeded up its responses to the recommendations made by the Council, and has continued its efforts to ensure the compatibility of its laws with all its international obligations.
291. Pakistan said that Morocco had one of the most comprehensive reviews and thanked the delegation of Morocco for its elaborate presentation, noting that Morocco had accepted all but two of the recommendations. One of them related to extending a standing invitation to all thematic special procedures. Pakistan welcomed Morocco’s commitment to giving serious and positive consideration to every single request made by any of the special procedures. It also welcomed the appointment of a new high commissioner for the administration of prisons with a ministerial rank, in line with the recommendations of the Working Group.
292. Bahrain welcomed the statement made by Morocco and commended it on positive developments towards promoting and protecting human rights in the country. It further commended Morocco on its keenness to work with all stakeholders at the national, regional and international level. Morocco has proven its commitments to the objectives of the universal periodic review, recognizing the importance of a number of issues: the draft law to promote disability rights, the appointment of a high commissioner to improve the conditions of prisons and prisoners, and organizing a national child congress, which would help towards implementing the rights of the child, all of which were among the recommendations made during the review.
293. The Syrian Arab Republic congratulated Morocco for cooperating with the universal periodic review mechanism. Morocco had made efforts to protect human rights, and had taken steps to raise awareness of the rights of various people. The Council should remember the efforts made by Morocco in the creation of the Council. It deserved credit for these efforts and its continuing commitment to promoting and protecting human rights.
294. Saudi Arabia paid special tribute to the Ambassador of Morocco for his constructive and effective role in the work of the human rights. Saudi Arabia emphasized that Morocco was a pioneer amongst Arab countries, having paid special attention to human rights at the institutional and legal levels. Saudi Arabia further noted that Morocco dealt positively with the recommendations made by the Working Group, and has accepted them, although some would have financial implications. Saudi Arabia believed that this showed the determination of Morocco to further promote and protect human rights. It welcomed the National Plan for Democracy and Human Rights drawn up by Morocco in accordance with the Vienna Declaration aimed at raising awareness of human rights. Implementation of the recommendations made during the review has already started effectively, with the setting up of a post of a high commissioner to oversee the conditions of prisons and prisoners, in accordance with international standards. Saudi Arabia noted that Morocco has also organized the Second Congress of Arab Human Rights Institutions.
295. Jordan noted that the national report discussed on 4 April 2008 during the review demonstrated the attachment of Morocco to human rights. Human rights in Morocco have continued to improve and the Government cooperated with all actors in society in their promotion. Unsurprisingly, Morocco ensured a positive and interactive dialogue throughout the process. Jordan referred to the promotion and protection of women’s rights with an increase from 1 to 11 per cent representation in the Parliament and with a 50 per cent increase among the judiciary, which has promoted equality in professions monopolized hitherto by men. Jordan recommended to Morocco to continue its cooperation with the universal periodic review mechanism.
296. Egypt expressed appreciation for Morocco’s efforts and report under the universal periodic review. It noted that Morocco had started implementing recommendations even before they were issued by the Working Group, and noted the work undertaken on prisons, and on the rights of women and children. Egypt stressed that Morocco was one of the few countries to have accepted all the recommendations, which demonstrated Morocco’s pioneering role in the field of human rights without division between various rights.
297. The United Arab Emirates congratulated Morocco for having accepted the recommendations of the Working Group and thanked it for its efforts within the universal periodic review process, improvements to the national legislation, and its improvement and guarantee of human rights through the Instance Equité et Réconciliation, in addition to the training of all the personnel and those who were in charge of implementing the laws. The United Arab Emirates stated that since the 1970s Morocco has been involved in the institutional building of human rights also aimed at setting norms and standards which were compatible with international human rights, because it was cognizant of the need to achieve developments in the field of human rights and to promote and protect human rights with the cooperation of the international community. It believed that the Council should provide Morocco with all the necessary help to that effect. It was noted that Morocco had been working towards putting in place internationally recognized human rights norms.
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