Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly lauds Morocco for strengthening democratic governance

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) made a positive assessment of the results of its seven-year long partnership with the Moroccan parliament lauding in particular the progress achieved in strengthening democratic governance.

PACE also stresses in a resolution on Morocco the need for authorities “to pursue and take ownership of the reforms so as to implement fully the ambitions of the 2011 Constitution.”

On 21 June 2011, the Parliament of Morocco became the first partner for democracy with the Parliamentary Assembly.

PACE also welcomed the professionalism with which the Moroccan authorities organized past parliamentary elections, and the prior reform of the electoral legislation, noting the improved representation of women in the political sphere.

“The Assembly also welcomes the decision to open up the profession of “adoul” to women and invites the Moroccan authorities to step up the protection of women against all the forms of violence and discrimination from which they suffer, including in inheritance and marriage matters,” said the Resolution.

“The Assembly reaffirms its strong support to the ongoing efforts by the United Nations Secretary-General to find a political solution in the Western Sahara,” it added.

On human rights, the Assembly commended the role played by the National Council on Human Rights commissions operating in Dakhla and Laayoune, and Morocco’s interaction with Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council.