By Napoleon Ato Kittoe
The kingdom of Morocco has been remarkably elected to the Presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2024, during a vote held on Wednesday in Geneva.
Of the 47 members of the United Nations Human Rights Council, 30 supported Morocco’s candidacy compared to that of South Africa, which only received 17 votes, the ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates said in a press release.
Morocco’s election, for the first time in its history, to the presidency of this prestigious UN body expresses an acknowledgement by the international community of the farsighted vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in protecting and promoting human rights.
Indeed, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, Morocco has, in fact, made the irreversible choice of inspiring the rule of law and safeguarding human rights.
This choice, enshrined in the 2011 Constitution, results in a continuous momentum of reforms aimed, in particular, at consolidating democracy, gender equality, social and territorial justice, the effectiveness of human rights, inclusive participation and youth empowerment, stresses the press release.
The Kingdom’s election, thanks to the adherence of a large number of countries from all regions of the world and despite the mobilisation of Algeria and South Africa to counter it, also reveals the trust and credibility inspired by Morocco’s external action under the Royal Impetus in Africa, on the international stage, and in the multilateral system.
The Kingdom of Morocco, which makes a recognised contribution within the Human Rights Council, particularly in the founding development processes of this body, is delighted with the trust placed in it.
It considers this a strong signal from the international community for its constructive approach and its unifying leadership on key subjects including interfaith dialogue, tolerance, the fight against racial hatred, the right to a healthy and sustainable environment, migrants’ rights, and the impact of new technologies.
During its Presidency, the Kingdom will remain faithful to the line it has set itself during its three mandates within the Human Rights Council, always favouring dialogue and consensus. Therefore, it intends to actively continue, with the Council’s members and all regional Groups, to strengthen and promote this important body of the UN human rights system, the press release concluded.
