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Attended by the newly appointed Minister of Human Rights, Mustapha Ramid, the Universal Periodic Review organized by the UN Human Rights Council yesterday in Geneva was an opportunity for Morocco to present the actions and plans adopted for improving the country’s human rights situation. The event was observed by Al Karama foundation, an independent Swiss-based human rights NGO that assists human rights violations in the Arab World including Morocco. As part of its annual mission, Al Karama released a report on the human rights situation in 22nd September 2016, examining and raising recommendations about that.
Contacted by Yabiladi, Radidja Nemar, Legal advisor in charge of the Great Maghreb at Al Karama foundation announced that Morocco took part to the UPR yesterday afternoon after Tunisa. Nemar also announced that Algeria will have to go through the same process next week.
Who represented Morocco at the Universal Periodic Review ?
Mustapha Ramid accompanied by a 15-member delegation of the Moroccan government was present at the UPR yesterday in Geneva for the review of the rights records of all UN Member States. The event is organized every four years to examine the human rights situation in these countries and help NGOs from all over the world submit recommendations regarding human rights violations. The Moroccan government was given 1 minute and 30 seconds, equal to all the participants, to answer questions concerning human rights in the country and explain the actions taken for improvement.
What are the main points raised at the review by Morocco ?
During the UPR, Morocco has claimed responsibility over several factors namely women’s rights and freedom of speech. The ultimate goal of this process is to make governments improve the human rights situation in their countries and decrease violations. All NGOs prepare a set of recommendations that Morocco has to choose from during a period of three months. The nation will then have a 4-year phase to fulfill them.
What about the report you released on the 22nd of September 2017 about the human rights situation in Morocco ?
Every NGO is supposed to deliver a report that examines human rights violations in the country. We have conducted this survey in September 2016 to assist the human rights situation in Morocco and the violations. We met two weeks ago with a number of non-governmental organizations to fulfill the task.
Did you have the chance to discuss your report with other parties ?
The report was discussed earlier in April with several NGOs that work on human rights in Morocco along with civil society militants. The study was also presented yesterday during the UN review. Every NGO is supposed to raise a set of recommendations based on reports like this one trying to assist all those subjected to risk, torture or arbitrary detention.
Are you satisfied with the effort performed by the Moroccan government to improve the human rights situation ?
Morocco has come a long way when it comes to human rights. Things are improving in several domains lately. However, there are some things that should be upgraded namely torture. Some people reportedly suffered from mistreatment and were tortured during detentions.
