As an independent national institution for the protection and promotion of human rights, accredited with “A” status, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) submitted its parallel report on the occasion of the Fourth Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
The UPR is an important mechanism for the United Nations Human Rights Council, said Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson. It is an opportunity given to all states to present the outcome of measures they have taken to respect human rights and raise challenges they have faced to their effective enjoyment, she added. Human rights defenders also expressed their concerns and submitted their recommendations. It is a global space to assess the extent to which states parties engage in the human rights system and adhere to its standards.
The CNDH report is a preliminary assessment of the implementation of the UPR’s previous recommendations. It includes 26 recommendations to the Moroccan government.
They are divided into four main axes based on: 1- Strengthening the practice of conventions by ratifying the remaining international human rights instruments and reinforcing cooperation with the UN system; 2- Strengthening legal guarantees for the effectiveness of rights; 3- Developing the institutional framework that supports the national system for the protection and promotion of human rights; 4- Strengthening public policies to ensure respect for human rights and the promotion of their culture.
The CNDH submitted its report. It also accompanied a group of young human rights defenders, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, the Universal Periodic Review Information (UPR Info) and the Prometheus Institute for Democracy and Human Rights. Two workshops were organized for their benefit and their networking was supported. This process culminated in the establishment of the "Associative Union of Moroccan Youth for the Protection of Human Rights", which presented, last week, its report as part of this session.
The CNDH also contributes, as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), to the elaboration of the national report, which will be submitted by the government to the United Nations Human Rights Council. It also contributes to consultations with various actors, at the national and regional levels.
All UN member states undergo a UPR approximately every four and a half years, during which human rights issues are considered and recommendations are issued. Morocco's report will be examined during the 41st Session of this mechanism to be held from 7 to 18 November 2022. Last Morocco’s UPR took place in May 2017, while the report of the working group on the UPR for Morocco was adopted in September 2017.
