During meetings with Moroccan officials, the delegation was briefed on steps taken by the kingdom to promote human rights, including compensation for victims of past human rights abuses, as well as efforts to bring national laws in line with relevant international conventions.

     The meetings also discussed the freedom of expression, demonstration and gathering as well as the conditions of women and missing persons in the Polisario-run camps of Tindouf (southwest of Algeria). 

   In this connection, the Moroccan party denounced the instrumentalization of human rights in campaigns orchestrated by the enemies of the kingdom's territorial integrity, drawing attention to the gross human rights violations perpetrated in those camps.

    Moroccan officials also urged the delegation to help uncover the fate of Moroccans detained in the Tindouf camps.

    The delegation, which met secretary of state in charge of foreign affairs, the chairman of the Advisory Council for Human Rights (CCDH), the chairman of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS), and the president of Moroccan Human Rights Organization (OMDH), was also briefed on the latest developments in the Sahara issue.

    In this regard, the secretary of state in charge of foreign affairs reiterated Morocco's sincere commitment to reaching a negotiated political solution to this regional dispute on the basis of Morocco's autonomy initiative under the country's sovereignty.

   She insisted that the persistence of this artificial conflict hinders Maghreb integration (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia) as a socio-economic requirement and a security necessity to combat terrorism and illicit trafficking.

    The delegation members were urged to sensitize their Maghreb counterparts about the importance of Maghreb integration.

    The delegation, which arrived Sunday, is scheduled to visit the southern city of Laayoune on Tuesday.

Source: MAP
News and Events on Western Sahara issue/ Corcas