Speaking at the 3rd meeting of the Reflection Group on the Strengthening of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Fassi Fihri said the meeting shows the Kingdom’s commitment to the universal values of human rights and its strategic choice of democracy and the rule of law.
    He said the issue of human rights is at the heart of the national political process and constitutes a reference for the government actions in all fields, such as the extensive regionalization, the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) and the reform of the judiciary which were based on a balanced approach vis-à-vis the concerns of human rights as well as the active involvement of the civil society.
   At the international level, the Moroccan top diplomat said Morocco is a credible player which is committed to the reform of the UN organs in charge of the issue of human rights. This is clearly proved by its active involvement in the creation of the Human Rights Council and the setting up of its Universal Periodic Review, he went on to say.
    This unwavering commitment, he added, has been followed by the appointment of Morocco as a facilitator of the review process of the Council’s mandate within the General Assembly.
   For his part, Director General of the Human Rights department at the Mexican Foreign Ministry, Alejandro Negrin said the Rabat meeting reinforces the objective to continue the consolidation of the universal HR institutions and that of the UN Rights Council. 
    The meeting of the Reflection Group on the Strenthening of the Human Rights Council seeks to ensure an open debate to reach constructive recommendations to contribute to the formal process of consultation regarding the reviews of the HRC which will he held after the 14th session of the Council in Geneva.
   The Rabat meeting, which comes after that of Paris and Mexico City, brings together representatives from around 20 African, European, Asian and American States, of the High Commissioner of Human Rights and several Human Rights Organizations.