CONCEPT NOTE OF THE FORUM
In December 2013, the State Secretariat for Human Rights of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil organized the First World Human Rights Forum (WHRF), with more than 5,000 participants from Brazil, Latin America as well as several countries, including Morocco.
This Successful forum was held twenty years after the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights in 1993.
Meanwhile, human rights values undergone a continuing universalization trend and are now a central component of international relations, with new treaties further strengthening international human rights law.
During this period, the United Nations system for the protection of fundamental human rights has significantly strengthened and renewed itself: the creation of the Human Rights Council, the adoption of the universal periodic review, the appointment of twenty-nine special procedure mandate holders, the entry into force of nine international instruments (two international conventions and seven optional protocols) are a testament to this.
Since Vienna, new regional bodies for the promotion and protection of human rights have emerged, while national human rights institutions, then in their infancy, have become dynamic actors with increasingly important roles.
At the same time, many national, regional and international non-governmental organizations, are increasingly professional and specialized, and have emerged as key stakeholders, bringing the voices of their societies and calling out the states to respect their international obligations. Over the past twenty years, new problems, previously unknown, have emerged and have challenged global awareness, while opposition to universalism has diversified and grown.
It is in this context of a globalized and interconnected world, that the forum in Brazil was held, confirming the need for a universal and brotherly space of dialogue and discussion between many stakeholders who are currently acting to respond to people’s aspirations for dignity, equality and justice.
In the wake of this momentum, the second WHRF is held in Marrakesh at the end of November 2014.
As a follow-up to the first WHRF in Brasilia, the Marrakesh Forum will be composed of thematic forums. Their preparation and conduct are insured by civil society networks, national human rights institutions, academic groups, etc.
The main conclusions will be presented at a final conference that will be attended by civil society, governments, NHRIs, representatives from the UN human rights system, international NGO’s and international human rights experts and institutions who will be called upon to give their feedback, deliver messages, etc.
Training workshops can be proposed. The same applies to self-directed workshops to exchange good practices and experiences. New networks can also be set up, or lead to convergence assemblies.
Finally, a fair is organized on the social and solidarity economy, along with cultural events.
Several organizing bodies were set up, including an international monitoring committee, a national Moroccan secretariat, a local host committee in Marrakesh, an international preparatory committee (including all stakeholders involved) as well as an international scientific committee.
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UN HRC President Praises Content Of Royal Message To World Human Rights Forum
President of the UN Human Rights Council, Ndong Ella Baudelaire, praised the content of the Royal message to the participants in the 2nd Human Rights Forum, which kicked off on Friday in Marrakech.
The message came at an opportune time for advancing human rights, said Baudelaire in a statement to MAP on the sidelines of the Forum’s opening session.
The UN’s top human rights official highlighted the emphasis by HM the King on the role that Africa needs to play in formulating the global human rights agenda.
He also voiced satisfaction to see Morocco as an African country hosting such an international human rights event, expressing his admiration for Morocco’s “leadership in the field of human rights.”
“Countries in the developing world – particularly in Africa – want to play a part in determining human rights standards. They no longer want to remain a subject for debate and assessment, or to be a field of experimentation,” said HM the King in the message read out by Justice and Liberties Minister, Mustapha Ramid.
Held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the forum, which will last till November 30th, is a platform to discuss several issues, including the rights of children, women, disabled people and migrants, in addition to other unresolved issues from the Vienna Conference on Human rights and other issues related to the new generation of human rights.
The list of participants includes Nobel Peace Prize winners, heads of UN agencies, government representatives, NGOs, leading academics, human rights activists and international media.
MAP 28 November 2014
2nd World Forum on Human Rights Kicks Off in Marrakech
The 2nd World Forum on Human Rights kicked off, here Thursday, with the participation of more than 6,000 people from hundred countries.
Held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the forum, which will last till November 30th, is a platform to tackle several issues, including the rights of children, women, disabled people and migrants, in addition to other unresolved issues from the Vienna Conference on Human rights and other issues related to the new generation of human rights.
The opening session was marked by the message of HM King Mohammed VI to the participants in the 2nd World Forum on Human Rights.
The list of participants includes Nobel Peace Prize winners, heads of UN agencies, government representatives, NGOs, leading academics, human rights activists and international media.
The meeting will feature thematic forums that will be organized and managed by civil society stakeholders.
The main conclusions of these forums will be presented at a final conference that will bring together civil society, representatives of the international system of human rights protection and international NGOs.
The 1st World Forum on Human Rights was held in 2013 in Brazil.
Marrakech international Human rights forum: a global gathering to celebrate human rights
The city of Marrakech is once again stealing the limelight as it is playing host this November 27 through 30 to the 2nd international human rights forum, an opportunity to celebrate humankind’s lofty struggle for a better world where all dimensions of human rights are respected.
Held under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the gathering is bringing together 5,000 participants, from 94 countries, hundreds of local and international Ngo’s and dozens of Moroccan and foreign experts.
It will also be an opportunity to highlight headways made by Morocco in human rights respect and promotion as the Kingdom has been ushered since the enthronement of HM King Mohammed VI in an accelerated process of reforms that are leading to a modern state, particularly as regards deepening the practice of democracy and the human rights culture.
The wide-ranging process, that earned international recognition and acknowledgment, includes incorporation of cultural and linguistic rights in public policies, transitional justice, expansion of access to economic and social rights, human development and territorial governance.
No doubt that the experience of the justice and reconciliation commission, established in 2004 to settle past human rights abuses, was a turning point in this process as it helped Morocco make a final reconciliation with its part and turn a new page in human rights practices.
The commission, which undertook to compensate individuals who sustained serious human rights breaches and conduct repair programs for communities affected by these abuses, stood as a model for other countries and attracted the attention of both international power and leading human rights-advocacy organizations as an initiative worth encouraging.
In the same year, a new family code came to entrench equality between Moroccan women and men and justice in the family cell. This outstanding new law was acclaimed as a model for other Muslim societies and as a law combining religious and legal constraints while bringing about changes promoting equality.
In the same vein, and to upgrade Morocco’s economic and social development, the Royal speech of May 2015 announced the launching of the National human development initiative meant to improve the social and economic conditions of poorest categories and support income-generating and job-creating activities.
This lofty and generous initiative illustrates Morocco’s commitment to fight precariousness and social exclusion, under the leadership of HM the King.
These headways were enshrined in the 2011 constitution that came to perfect a process started in 1999 and consolidate democratic institutions.
No wonder that Morocco, which boasts a sound basis at the domestic level, chose to reinforce its openness on human rights groups and various UN relevant mechanisms, including the special procedures.
In this context, Morocco welcomed 5 UN special rapporteurs in 2014, conducting with them open, frank and constructive dialog and producing evidence to its effective and irreversible commitment to consolidate human rights.
These positive evolutions, expected to be highlighted during the global human rights forum, were not the result of specific circumstances but the fruit of a deliberate choice by Morocco and of a Royal approach making of the Kingdom an example to follow and a haven of stability standing out in a region where most countries have made different choices leading to political bankruptcy.
Council Of Europe Official Lauds Holding Of World Human Rights Forum In Morocco
President of the North-South Center of the Council of Europe Jean-Marie Heydt commended, on Wednesday in Strasbourg, the choice of Morocco to host the second World Human Rights Forum.
Speaking to MAP, Heydt said the Forum has made a step forward in choosing an African country that accomplished considerable economic and human progress, notably with regards to women rights and the participatory process.
In line with the aims of the Forum, Heydt highlighted the North South Center’s engagement for the promotion of the civil society actions.
More commonly known as the North-South Centre, the European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity, was established in Lisbon in May 1990 with the purpose of promoting dialogue between North and South, fostering solidarity and raising awareness of global interdependence.
The second World Human Rights Forum (Marrakech, Nov. 27-30) will bring together more than 5,000 participants from 94 countries including decision makers and NGO representatives.
MAP 27 novembre 2014
Morocco, Example To Follow In Terms Of Human Rights In Africa: UNHRC President
Morocco’s multiple strategies in terms of human rights make the Kingdom “a model to follow” in Africa, Baudelaire Ndong Ella, President of the UN Council of Human Rights (UNCHR) said Wednesday in Rabat.
“The Moroccan experience in promoting human rights is a study case for other African countries,” the UN official told the press following a meeting with Morocco’s interdepartmental delegate for human rights Mahjoub El Hiba.
The President of the HRC, on visit to Morocco to take part in the 2nd edition of the World Human Rights Forum in Marrakesh, lauded the Kingdom’s valuable efforts and active role in the UN Human Rights Council, highlighting Morocco’s ongoing interaction with various UN mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights.
For his part, El Hiba said he highlighted during the talks with the UN official Morocco’s achievements in terms of human rights and the rule of law under the leadership of HM King Mohammmed VI.
The second World Human Rights Forum (Nov. 27-30) will bring together more than 5,000 participants from 94 countries including decision makers and NGO representatives.
MAP 26 novembre 2014
Second World Human Rights Forum To Assess Progress Made Since Vienna Conference: Official
The second Human Rights Forum, to be held on November 27-30 in Marrakech, will assess the progress made since the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993, government interdepartmental delegate for human rights Mahjoub El Hiba said.
The event will also discuss new issues that emerged after the Vienna Conference, El Hiba told MAP, adding that these issues include the linkage between human rights and matters relating to enterprise, sanitation, water, environment, new technologies and terrorism, the Moroccan official noted.
The Forum will make a series of recommendations and proposals aiming at enhancing the UN human rights system, improving international cooperation and promoting best practices in the field of human rights, said the Moroccan official.
On the same occasion, El Hiba highlighted Morocco’s achievements in terms of human rights and the rule of law, recalling that Morocco, under the leadership of HM King Mohammmed VI, was one of the few countries in the region, if not the only one, to have had the courage to examine past rights violations.
The second World Human Rights Forum will bring together more than 5,000 participants from 94 countries including decision makers and NGO representatives.
MAP 26 Novembre 2014
Marrakesh World Human Rights Forum, Opportunity To Take Stock Of Global Human Rights Situation: El Yazami
The second World Human Rights Forum, to be held Thursday in Marrakesh, is an opportunity for the international community to take stock of the global situation of human rights, the chairman of Morocco’s human rights watchdog (CNDH) Driss El Yazami said.
“This second edition will be an opportunity not only to deepen the debate on several human rights emergent issues, but also an occasion for the international community to take stock of the global situation of human rights, as major international events on human rights are scheduled for 2015”, El Yazami told MAP.
The year 2015 will notably be marked by the celebration of the anniversary of the Beijing Conference on Women’s Rights (Beijing + 20) and the UN Conference on Climate Change in Paris, the head of CNDH noted.
The Marrakesh World Human Rights Forum will serve as platform for international stakeholders in the area of human rights in order to prepare for the 2015 human rights agenda through broadened debates on the themes of the coming flagship international events and shed light on future human rights challenges, he added.
This global event will determine the degree of interaction of the countries with the human rights international conventions they have ratified as well as the countries’ achievements in translating into reality their international commitments, El Yazami pointed out.
The second World Human Rights Forum, to be held on November 27-30, will bring together more than 5,000 participants from 94 countries including decision makers and NGO representatives.
MAP 26 Novembre 2014
Marrakesh World Human Rights Forum, Recognition Of Morocco’s Progress: Moroccan Diplomat
The holding of the World Forum on Human Rights in Marrakesh is a recognition of Morocco’s progress in a difficult region context, said Monday Morocco’s ambassador to the United Nations Geneva Office Mohamed Aujjar.
Held for the first time in an African country, this global event will attract more than 5,000 people “who will be able to see how Morocco has made progress in human rights related issues” the Moroccan ambassador told the Swiss newspaper “Tribune de Genève”.
The forum will also be an opportunity for policymakers, researchers and NGOs representatives to communicate and exchange ideas in the difficult time that prevails in the Arabo-Islamic region, he added.
Aujjar noted that the vast majority of Moroccan NGOs working in the field of human rights will take part in the forum, noting however that “any organization can disagree freely, Morocco being a pluralist and democratic country.”
The holding of this event in Morocco goes in line with the Kingdom’s international commitments and its reform process culminating in the adoption of the 2011 Constitution which represents a turning point in Morocco’s history.
MAP 25 Novembre 2014
Forum website link:
Consult the program:
http://fmdh-2014.org/en/programme/details/4/
