PRESIDENTS HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDTABLE AT 2007 UNGA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001460

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR U/S DOBRIANSKY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL MO
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTS HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDTABLE AT 2007 UNGA

REF: STATE 125456

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. Morocco has placed increasing priority on
democracy and human rights, including a commitment by its
executive monarch, King Mohammed VI to build a "culture of
human rights" from the Ambassador down, Embassy Rabat works
to promote Human Rights in Morocco through transformational
diplomacy, outreach and assistance. We helped safeguard
freedom of expression, helped stymie a law on polling and
worked to change Morocco's press code. We work closely with
the Royal Consultative Council on Human Rights (CCDH),which
recently coordinated USG-funded international observation of
the Parliamentary elections. Those elections, Morocco's
freest and fairest election ever, were marred by low turnout,
a sign of the need for continuing reform. Prime Minister
Driss Jettou participated in the democracy roundtable with
President Bush last year, and welcomed the opportunity.
Ongoing negotiations on the post-election formulation could
limit, however, the prospect of Head of State or Government
attendance on September 25.

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Embassy promotion of human rights
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2. (C) The Ambassador and staff meet regularly with a wide
variety of human rights activists, dissidents and NGOs. The
Ambassador recently met with the head of the Royal
Consultative Council on Human Rights (CCDH),which has the
lead on human rights reform and coordinates the effort to
build a culture of human rights; he also met the head of the
NGO the Moroccan Human Right Organization (OMDH). Human
rights in the Western Sahara remains a challenge and a key
focus. We frequently meet Sahrawi human rights activists,
including Political Counselor meetings with those favoring
the POLISARIO (which the GOM discourages),and have helped
promote a dialogue between them and the authorities.
Ameliorating the human rights situation in the Western Sahara
can help build confidence and improve chances of success in
the current negotiations to resolve the conflict. The
ambassador and others engage directly with Moroccan
government officials to promote international principles of
human rights. Last January, the government, concerned about
the portrayal of its record in the Annual Department of State
Human Rights Report, initiated a formal dialogue on human
rights, which includes the Ministries of Interior and
Justice.


3. (C) Using USAID/MEPI funds, we financed programs --
through NDI, IRI and other NGOs -- to build democratic
infrastructure, institutions including parliament, and
citizen participation. Morocco decided, partly at USG
urging, to accept international observers for its
parliamentary elections and to strive to meet international
election standards. International observation was funded by
the USG through MEPI to the National Democratic Institute
(NDI). The GOM prefers to keep this and other political
assistance from the USG low profile (due to strong popular
opposition connected with regional issues).


4. (C) We promote human rights through a combination of
transformational diplomacy, assistance and public diplomacy
in the form of outreach. One of our goals is to increase
awareness of the importance of political participation among
Moroccan youth. The Ambassador makes frequent outreach
visits, traveling throughout the country, stressing expansion
of democracy as one of his major themes. The Ambassador
regularly incorporates encouragement for democracy-building
into his public speaking, including radio and TV interviews.


5. (C) One key is the issue of freedom of the press.
Although Morocco has made major progress, with perhaps the
freest press in the region, we push for changes in its press
code to eliminate in fines and imprisonment for journalists,
while working through assistance to raise journalistic
standards. The Ambassador has personally engaged on this.

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The GOM's Stated Human Rights Priorities
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6. (C) Since ascending to the throne in 1996, King Mohammed
VI has said publicly and frequently that he wants to create a
"culture of human rights" in Morocco. In pursuit of that
goal, the GOM states that is focusing on:

- The revision and adoption of national legislation such as
expanding currently limited eligibility citizenship,
eliminating torture, and family laws, among others.

- Harmonizing national laws with international human rights
treaties and codes.

- Creating and strengthening national level enabling
institutions such as the CCDH, Equity and Reconciliation
Commission, Ombudsman's Office, and the Amazigh (Berber)
Cultural Institute.

- Advancing the status of women by making gender equality a
fundamental societal principle.


7. (C) The GOM supports generally the principles of human
rights throughout the world. It is an active participant at
in human rights discussion at the U.N, both in New York and
Geneva. With the exception of occasional (generally
politically motivated) drawing of attention to specific
violations of human rights of Sahrawis in Algeria,
particularly in the camps controlled by the POLISARIO, or
generally in Algeria, it does not advocate on specific cases.


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Morocco and the President's Human Rights roundtable
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8. (C) In 2006, Prime Minister Driss Jettou, on short notice,
agreed to participate in the democracy roundtable with
President Bush. He conveyed to the roundtable Morocco's
strong commitment to democracy and human rights at home and
internationally. He expressed then his appreciation for the
opportunity. The GOM has indicated that the King does not
plan to attend the UNGA this year. Jettou, in lame duck
status, could see his mandate expire by early October.
Moreover, ongoing negotiations on the post-election
nomination of a prime minister and formulation of a ruling
coalition and cabinet could limit the prospect of Head of
State or Government attendance on September 25.


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Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
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RILEY