Morocco wins presidency of UN Human rights Council

Morocco was comfortably elected to the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council, in recognition for its rights achievements and the credibility it enjoyed.

Morocco received 30 votes, despite the hostile campaign waged against its presidency bid by Algeria and South Africa.

Morocco’s contender South Africa got only 17 votes, a crushing defeat for a country that spared no effort to spread anti-Moroccan propaganda in international media ahead of the election.

“The election of Morocco for the first time in its history to this prestigious UN body is a recognition by the international community of the forward-looking vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in the field of protecting and promoting human rights,” Morocco’s foreign ministry said in a statement after the election.

Morocco enshrined human rights protection in its 2011 constitution and led reforms to entrench democracy, gender equality and social justice, it said.

Morocco’s win is also reflective of its credibility and the trust that the Kingdom enjoys within the international community and in Africa in particular under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, said the statement.

Within the council, the Kingdom has been at the forefront of efforts to promote inter-religious dialogue, and the fight against racism and has spared no effort to spur sustainability and environment protection along with migrants rights, it said.

“During its presidency, the Kingdom will stay faithful to its stands at the Human Rights Council by always favouring dialogue, unity and consensus. It plans to actively contribute along with other council members to strengthen the influence of the Council and the UN human rights system,” concludes the statement.