The chairman of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS), Mr Khalihenna Ould Errachid, met May 16 in Rabat, with a delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which was visiting Morocco.

During this meeting, attended by several Council members, both sides discussed the situation of human rights in the southern provinces, stressing the importance of the royal initiative to create CORCAS to end the artificial conflict created around the Moroccan Sahara.

CORCAS chairman insisted in a statement to the TVM, on the need "not to punish people for their political ideas, while preserving security."

He said that no democratic country can tolerate the breach of security, adding that Morocco respects the right of expression and political exercise. 

Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid also reported that its discussions with the UN delegation noted the noble mission of the United Nations which is in the spirit of reconciliation not only with youth, whether in Laâyoune or elsewhere, but with "all Sahrawis" to build a prosperous Sahrawi society involved politically, economically and socially in building the nation.

Meanwhile, the head of the delegation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Christophe Giraud said the delegation mission takes place "as expected under the best conditions."

The UN delegation also held on 17 May in Laayoune, a meeting with civil society in the city before going to Tindouf to investigate the situation of human rights in the camps.

It had had previous discussions with several Moroccan officials which focused mainly on the achievements of the Kingdom in the field of human rights.