Mohammed VI's approach advocates for Africa's equal participation in the UN HRC

1. The four foundations of the royal approach to human rights in Morocco
2. Africa's hour: from consumer to participant in the elaboration of human rights values
3. Recognition of Morocco's contribution to the noble work of the HRC

Given the excessive politicisation of human rights, the erosion of international consensus on human rights, the inability of the international community to establish agreed norms and new standards in the field of human rights, the annual meeting of the UN Human Rights Committee organised in Rabat on 21-22 November is an ideal opportunity for an open and responsible debate on fundamental issues concerning the present and future of the human rights system, according to Nasser Bourita, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Nasser Bourita announced that Morocco proposes to host a regular dialogue focusing on the current and future challenges facing the UNHRC, stressing that ‘the success or failure of the Council in fulfilling its missions of promoting and protecting human rights worldwide, addressing cases of human rights violations and making recommendations thereon, depends on the commitment of its members to promote the noble objectives set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’. 

The four foundations of the royal approach to human rights in Morocco

King Mohammed VI's approach to human rights represents, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, a reference framework for the reforms and pioneering initiatives launched by Morocco in this field, based on four essential foundations:

• Ownership and voluntary choice, through bold decisions and pioneering initiatives such as the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year; a unique experiment in transitional justice that has inspired many processes at regional and international level. 
• The ongoing reconciliation of the universality of human rights and national specificity. In this line, the royal guidelines on the reform of the Family Code and the revision of its provisions are an eloquent example of Morocco's commitment to reconcile the precepts of Islam with the universal values enshrined in the international conventions ratified by the Kingdom. 
• The firm determination to promote all human rights: political, civil, economic, social and cultural. 
• The participatory approach, which makes the components of Moroccan society and its driving forces active players in the consecration of the achievements of the first and second generation of human rights, while laying the foundations for a progressive opening towards the third generation of these rights, as demonstrated by the first version of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development towards 2030.

These constants of the real approach remain, according to the statement of the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, the backbone of Morocco's constructive contributions to the development of the international human rights system. 

Africa's hour: from consumer to participant in the elaboration of human rights values

Nasser Bourita placed particular emphasis on the need to remedy the historical shortcomings in the participation of Southern countries, particularly African countries, in the elaboration of international human rights standards; urging to turn Africa into a producer of human rights values rather than a mere consumer.

In this context, he stressed the need for the Council's deliberations to reflect African priorities, with greater scope to deliberate on economic, social and cultural rights alongside other rights; as well as insisting on the importance of finding creative solutions to obstacles to progress in development and creating a healthy environment by strengthening access to new technologies.

‘Today and tomorrow, Africa refuses to remain the exclusive object of external deliberations and evaluations, and aspires to be a major player on an equal footing with other international actors,’ said Bourita, advocating going beyond conventional concepts of capacity building, given the efficiency and effectiveness of African experiences and local solutions.

The minister concluded by indicating that the recommendations of this conclave should form the basis of a follow-up process leading to a broader consensus, with a view to a review of the statute of the Human Rights Council by the General Assembly in 2026; praising the actions developed by the African Network of National Human Rights Institutions in terms of training, education and advocacy, as well as the African Network for the Prevention of Torture created in 2023. 

Recognition of Morocco's contribution to the noble work of the HRC

Nasser Bourita recalled Morocco's constant efforts to reach consensus on the ground rules governing the working mechanisms of the Human Rights Council.  

The Universal Periodic Review is one example, in whose creation (2007) and review process (2011) Morocco played a central role, as it did through its pioneering interaction with human rights mechanisms, thanks to the hosting of 12 visits by UN HRC special procedures. This places the Kingdom at the forefront among the States examined in the framework of these mechanisms. 

In this regard, the Moroccan diplomat mentioned that Morocco has hosted important international human rights processes, such as: 

• The 2012 Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. 
• The 2016 Marrakesh Declaration on the Rights of Religious Minorities in the Muslim World. 
• The 2017 Fez Plan of Action on the role of religious leaders in preventing incitement to violence. 
• The 2nd World Forum on Human Rights and the first international preparatory meeting for the 3rd World Forum on Human Rights. 

The Foreign Minister stated that ‘to preserve the credibility and effectiveness of the Human Rights Council, as well as the contribution of the countries of the South to the development of values and the human rights system in the future, rather than playing the role of consumer, the following dimensions must be respected:  

• At the institutional level, reconciling the attachment to maintaining the close link between the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly, while granting the HRC greater autonomy in terms of resources and guaranteeing it greater scope for self-financing and the development of its competences. 
• The current institutional stability is an effective guarantee to keep human rights issues among the most important pillars of the UN system. 
• Consolidate the achievements of the Human Rights Council in order to avoid any outcome contrary to the desired objectives. 
• The development of working methods for the Universal Periodic Review that ensure the effectiveness of the follow-up process and support countries' efforts to implement the recommendations made in accordance with their national priorities. 
• The tendency to supplant the central role of States, which affects the integrity and credibility of the international human rights system in general. 
• The fundamental and complementary role of civil society and human rights organisations in member states.