UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

UNCLAS RABAT 001865 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM MO SUBJECT: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: STATE 160278 ¶1. This cable is sensitive but unclassified, please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Reftel demarche was delivered to Nasser Bourita, Director of United Nations and International Organizations, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 5. (Note: Bourita was not in the country prior to September 26, making an earlier delivery date impossible. End Note.) Bourita emphasized that the government of Morocco (GOM) thinks that the UN Human Rights Council should be an example for the UN reform process and that the GOM's position was clearly articulated. ¶3. (SBU) Bourita discussed the position of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in detail. He indicated that the GOM is concerned that large, international NGOs are creating a "corporate world," overshadowing what local NGOs have to offer. At the same time, he noted that local NGOs do not always have the capacity to research agenda items for council meetings nor do they necessarily have the financial support to participate in meetings. Bourita advocated defining the role of NGOs in the council precisely and making sure that country-specific NGOs are not overlooked, especially when specific countries are on the agenda. His concerns focused on what he perceives as a misunderstanding of country specific issues on the part of the council and the international NGOs. He assured poloff that the GOM will continue to work with the council on defining the role of NGOs in the council's processes. ¶3. (SBU) According to Bourita, the Community of Democracies (CD) needs to take a more active role in the UN and needs to discuss in detail the role of NGOs. He also said that the GOM has expressed this opinion most recently during the 61st UNGA meeting. He emphasized that no country is a model for another and that each democracy must share its experiences with others and at the same time learn from others. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** RILEY