state under review their views, approach and support for National Human Rights Institutions.”
Neutral
Fails to pose any human rights challenge.
0
BAHRAIN Partly Free Asian Group, Arab League, G77, NAM, OIC
“Morocco is engaged in an irreversible process to consolidate the rule of law, democracy, good governance, and sustainable development… The Kingdom of Morocco has invested unstinting efforts in promoting the rights of the child.”
Negative
Praises Morocco instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
-7
BANGLADESH Partly Free Asian Group, NAM, OIC
“We also commend the government for creating specific institutions for dealing with a specific category of rights. The Rights of the Child is one of such specific priority areas… The request of the country to provide technical assistance to help it [in] capacity-building deserves favorable consideration…”
Negative
Praises Morocco instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
-5
BOSNIA Free EE “Morocco has ratified core international Human Rights instruments… Does the legislation of the country have an explicit definition of the principle of equality between women and men as well as discrimination on the basis of sex (as commented by the CEDAW as well)?”
Positive
Praises Morocco, but follows with weak, implicit challenge on gender discrimination.
2
BRAZIL Free G77, GRULAC “I wish to stress the advancement in the area of equality and discrimination against women, rights of the child, civil liberties and fair trial, consolidation of the rule of law, to name a few… We have some concerns related to the actual implementation of some specific measures… Brazil also welcomes the decision of the Government of Morocco to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the CEDAW and aim at ensuring de jure and de facto equality of women.”
Mixed
Praises Morocco.
Poses weak challenge on discrepancies between Morocco’s laws on
discrimination against women and actual implementation.
1
CANADA Free JUSCANZ, WEOG “Journalists risk prosecution and prison, and suspension and prohibition of their publications if they tackle certain subjects… Could you tell us whether there are any plans to enact legislation on defamation and libel?… Does Morocco intend to ensure training for magistrates and judges in order to raise their awareness of the rights of women? Could you please also describe measures taken to comply with the recommendations on the Committee for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women?”
Positive
Challenges Morocco on specific issues of press freedom and women’s rights.
7
DJIBOUTI Partly Free African Group, NAM, OIC
“We congratulate the country on the establishment of the different human rights bodies and the full involvement of women in civil life and in political life.”
Negative
Praises women’s rights in Morocco when the reality is the opposite.
-5
EGYPT Not Free African Group, Arab League, AU, G77, NAM, OIC
“We would particularly highlight the efforts made by the Government of Morocco to consolidate human rights in different spheres, and we would welcome progress made in the respect of religious freedoms.”
Negative Praises Morocco.
-5
FRANCE Free EU, WEOG “I would like further information on what your needs are, in terms of technical cooperation, in order for those needs to be taken up and made explicit in the report which the working group is to prepare.”
Neutral
Fails to pose any human rights challenge.
0
GERMANY Free EU, WEOG “We would be interested to know more…with regards to specifically strengthening human rights guarantees within the constitution… We would also like to thank the Honorable Minister for the information provided on the state of play regarding the new Code de la Presse and the importance that is reserved to the issue of the protection of freedom of expression… And we would be interested to know if there is already any dates set for the probability of adoption of this law.”
Positive
Implicitly raises press freedom and human rights guarantees in Morocco’s constitution, though in generic and cautious manner, and without
elaboration.
2
GHANA Free African Group, AU “Worthy of mention is the government’s efforts to boost moral integrity in public life, the adoption of a plan of action to combat corruption, and the establishment of an anti-corruption authority…We wish to endorse the appeal sought by the government, particularly in the areas of capacity-building.”
Negative
Praises Morocco instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
-6
INDIA Free Asian Group, G77,
NAM
“In particular, Morocco’s efforts in designing a national strategy and plan of action on human rights education are noteworthy.
In the field of representation of women in the political field Morocco has taken some far-reaching initiatives which have been successful in significantly enhancing the presence of women in parliament.”
Negative
Praises Morocco’s progress instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
-6
INDONESIA Free Asian Group, G77, NAM, OIC
“Morocco in the last few years has pushed forward additional measures aimed at assuring the respect of fundamental freedoms, by among others, enlarging and consolidating the
boundaries of democracy as a human rights State… We applaud Morocco for their
willingness to cooperate with various bodies of the UN and for its independent national press…
We have observed with great interest their strategies which are aimed at more effectively incorporating the constitutionally guaranteed right to gender equality.”
Negative
Strongly praises Morocco instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
Praise extends to press freedom and gender equality when Morocco is known to be a violator in these areas.
-9
IRAN Not Free Asian Group, G77, NAM, OIC
“We have noted with interest the measures taken by the Government to strengthen the process of human rights promotion and protection.
I would also like to ask if you could elaborate further on the steps taken by the Government to promote a culture of human rights, as well as the ways and means to protect the rights of the child.”
Mixed
Weakly praises Morocco’s progress.
Fails to pose any human rights challenge.
-1
ITALY Free EU, WEOG “We would like to note and stress with satisfaction that since 1994 Morocco has implemented a de facto moratorium on the death penalty.”
Negative
Praises Morocco for its moratorium on the death penalty instead of holding it accountable for human rights violations.
-3
JORDAN Partly Free Arab League, Asian Group, G77, NAM, OIC
“Morocco has remained attached to the
implementation of human rights and we can see this through…all of the measures that it has adopted to promote and protect civil, political, economical, cultural, and social rights… Laws have been adopted to help abandoned street children; we have seen amendments made to the Family Code and Labor Code.”
Negative
Praises Morocco instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
-6
LIBYA Not Free African Group, Arab League, AU, G77, NAM, OIC
“The rule of law, democracy, and human development are all cornerstones of the system in Morocco… The constitution of Morocco guarantees all the basic rights for its citizens. All are equal before the law, as well as gender equality.”
Negative
Strongly praises Morocco instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
Fails to distinguish between Morocco’s laws and failures in implementation.
-9
MALAYSIA Partly Free Asian Group, G77, NAM, OIC
“We note with interest the establishment of extensive normative, institutional, and judicial human rights framework and irreversible move towards consolidating the achievements that have been made so far. As a fellow developing country, Malaysia also fully understands the obstacles and challenges faced by Morocco, particularly the economic constraints.”
Negative
Praises Morocco instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
Assigns blame for human rights challenges on
Morocco’s economic situation rather than its policies.
-7
MAURITIUS Free African Group,
G77, NAM
“The wide ranging legislative and institutional measures taken by Morocco over the last fifty years speak for themselves and clearly demonstrate both the willingness and determination of Morocco to guarantee the fundamental freedoms and rights of its citizens.
Morocco mentions…a draft bill on violence against women. My delegation would appreciate obtaining more information on the status of this new legislation and to what extent it will take into account the specific case of domestic violence and the protection of victims of such violence?”
Negative
Raises question on domestic violence against women, but this is not a clear challenge as it is preceded by praise of Morocco’s draft law to combat this practice.
-3
MEXICO Free GRULAC “We would like to ask about difficulties that the state may encounter bringing to justice those responsible for violations, particularly in the case of enforced disappearance and torture?…
We would also like to recommend to the Kingdom of Morocco that they continue, as they have done, to ensure respect of the human rights of all their migrants, whatever their migratory condition… We would also like to recommend that they make progress in their internal processes for ratifying the international instruments signed over the past few years.”
Positive
Raises specific issues of impunity, migrant workers, and ratification of
international instruments.
Makes a specific recommendation.
4
NETHERLANDS Free EU, WEOG “We commend the country’s efforts to achieve equality between men and women, its lifting of its reservations on certain provisions of CEDAW, and its adherence to the CEDAW Optional Protocol… We commend Morocco for its overall efforts to bring its national legislation in line with its international human rights obligations and we would like to recommend that Morocco continue this process of harmonization, for instance with regard to the reform of the Press Code or legislation of the Right to Privacy.”
Positive
Praises Morocco’s progress, but follows with a
recommendation.
Makes specific
recommendations on press freedom and the right to privacy.
2
NIGERIA Partly Free African Group, G77, NAM, OIC
“We welcome the laudable strides Morocco has taken to effectively cooperate with all
stakeholders and their demonstrable
harmonization of their domestic legislation with international human rights instruments…
Nigeria is of the view that it is important for the Council to appreciate the various constraints that stand in the way of Morocco in its efforts towards the progressive realization of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights.”
Negative
Praises Morocco’s legislation without noting shortcomings in implementation.
Assigns blame for human rights challenges on
Morocco’s economic situation rather than its policies.
-6
PAKISTAN Not Free Asian group, G77, NAM, OIC
“Morocco is a symbol of pluralism, tolerance, and respect for diversity… We have noted how the Moroccan government has nurtured a human rights culture through consolidation of the rule of law, democracy, good governance, and sustainable human development… We commend the steps taken by the Kingdom…to ensure equality between men and women… We would like to ask the Honorable Minister about the steps it has taken to oppose and fight terrorism.”
Negative
Strongly praises Morocco instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
- 9
QATAR Not Free Arab League, Asian Group, G77, NAM, OIC
“Human rights are respected and Morocco’s efforts have been acknowledged in the UN system… Morocco is cooperating openly with international bodies… Efforts have subsequently been made to improve the situation in the prison system, and much has also been done to eliminate child labor.”
Negative
Praises Morocco’s progress instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
-5
RUSSIA Not Free EE, OIC (observer) “We should stress our high evaluation of the attention paid by the Kingdom of Morocco to the implementation of social, cultural, and economic rights… We would like to particularly note the measures taken to implement the gender perspective.”
Negative
Praises Morocco instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
- 6
SAUDI ARABIA Not Free Arab League, Asian Group, G77, NAM, OIC
“We can see the constant commitment and political will of the Government of Morocco to consolidate the human rights of the Moroccan people. This can be seen under the reforms undertaken by the Government of Morocco, and by which it committed to the promotion of the rule of law and sustainable human
development.”
Negative
Praises Morocco’s progress instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations and need for further improvements.
-5
SENEGAL Free African Group, AU, G77, NAM,
OIC
“I would like, in this respect, to particularly mention the care that you take with incorporating international norms into your domestic legislation, including those of humanitarian law… I would therefore ask, Minister, that you give us an account of the latest progress made in Morocco regarding the respect for the rights of women and for
guaranteeing foreigners full enjoyment of rights on an equal footing.”
Negative
Praises Morocco’s laws without noting shortcomings in implementation.
Question regarding women’s and foreigner’s rights not posed as clear challenge.
-3
SLOVENIA Free EE, EU “A gender perspective shall be fully integrated into the UPR. What has the state done so far to achieve this?
We would like to put forward a recommendation to the Government of Morocco, to communicate the withdrawal of reservations [to CEDAW] to the Secretary-General as soon as possible.”
Positive
Challenges Morocco on discrimination against women.
Makes specific and concrete recommendation.
4
SUDAN Not Free African Group, AU, G77, NAM, OIC
“The main challenge [Morocco] encounters in the field of promotion of human rights is the economic constraints… We commend the measures so far being put in place to eradicate rural poverty.”
Negative
Praises Morocco for poverty eradication instead of holding it accountable for human rights violations.
Pits blame for human rights challenges on Morocco’s economic situation rather than its policies.
-5
SWITZERLAND Free JUSCANZ, WEOG “We encourage Morocco to pursue this implementation with determination in order to guarantee the victims’ access to justice and to bring the perpetrators of violence to justice. We also recommend that Morocco ratify the Statute to the International Criminal Court… Morocco is committed…to continue to promote human rights education. Switzerland recommends to Morocco that it, in particular, continue training of law enforcement officials.”
Positive
Challenges Morocco on impunity for human rights violators.
Makes specific recommendations.
5
SYRIA Not Free Arab League, Asian Group, OIC
“We find the Moroccan view to establish a culture for human rights – we find it as an excellent perspective that increases the credibility of all efforts made.”
Negative
Praises Morocco instead of holding it accountable for ongoing violations.
-6
UNITED KINGDOM Free EU, WEOG “We would therefore like to recommend that the Government of Morocco sets a date for
signature of the [OPCAT]… We remain concerned about reports of censorship and restrictions of the media, with several recent cases of prosecution of prominent journalists.
We note that prison conditions remain an issue.”
Positive
Challenges Morocco on torture, press freedom, and prison conditions.
Makes specific
recommendation to sign a protocol on torture.
6
ZAMBIA Partly Free African Group, AU, G77, NAM
“After all that has been said by previous speakers, my delegation is left with very little to say but to congratulate the Kingdom of
Morocco… My delegation would, however, recommend that the issue of torture…be addressed by the Kingdom of Morocco.”
Mixed
Praises Morocco, but follows with weak challenge on torture.
1
Background on Pakistan: Pakistan fails to meet the minimal standards of a free democracy, and ranks as Not Free. According to NGO compilation report, Pakistan violates the right to life and liberty, the right to a free and fair trial, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, women’s rights, children’s rights, and the right to equality before the law. At the UN, Pakistan belongs to the Asian Group, the G-77, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
COUNTRY FH RATING AFFILIATIONS EXCERPT FROM STATEMENT ASSESSMENT SCORE