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. -------------- Embassy promotion of human rights -------------- ¶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. -------------- The GOM's Stated Human Rights Priorities -------------- ¶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. -------------- -------------- Morocco and the President's Human Rights roundtable -------------- -------------- ¶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. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** RILEY