MOROCCO’S NATIONAL REPORT – 20 February 2017
doc. A_HRC_WG.6_27_MAR_1
The Kingdom of Morocco submitted its third report under the URP mechanism in 2017. In comparison to previous reports, no specific references on the situation on Western Sahara were made.
COMPILATION PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS – 20 February 2017
doc. A_HRC_WG.6_27_MAR_2
The document is a compilation of the information contained in the reports issued by treaty bodies, special procedures, including observations and comments by the State concerned, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and in other relevant official United Nations documents. Specific references on the situation on Western Sahara were made at least in paragraphs: 5-6; 23; 37; 44; 100-101; 103-107.
STAKEHOLDERS’ SUBMISSION TO THE UN UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW – 20 February 2017.
doc. A_HRC_WG.6_27_MAR_3
The report is a summary of stakeholders’ submission to the URP prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Human Rights Council. Among others, it includes views of Saharawi’s civil society, such as APREDESA and the Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave Human Rights Violations, and the Commission Nationale Sahraouie des droits de l’homme (CONASADH). Specific references on the situation on Western Sahara were made at least in the following paragraphs: 13 18; 26-27; 102-105.
REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW – MOROCCO – 13 July 2017
doc. A_HRC_36_6
The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review reviewed Morocco’s report on 2 May 2017. The first part of the report contains a presentation by Morocco and several statements made by some delegations (among others, Angola, Yemen, Qatar, Zambia – only Iceland and South Africa commented expressly on Western Sahara). The second part includes conclusions and recommendations as supported by specific States. Significantly, many specific recommendations were made on the situation on Western Sahara here:
“144.24 Accept the establishment of a permanent rights component in the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, given the continuing need for independent and impartial monitoring of the human rights situation in the place, as previously recommended (Uruguay);
144.25 Undertake to fully cooperate with the United Nations and, in particular, the special envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara (Zimbabwe);
144.26 Comply with the provisions of Security Council resolution 2351 (2017), which extends the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara and align itself with the principle of self-determination of the Saharawi people (Mozambique);
144.27 Cooperate with the newly appointed special envoy of the Secretary General for Western Sahara (Mozambique);
144.28 Accept the inclusion of a human rights dimension in the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (Namibia);
144.29 Continue to work with OHCHR and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to re-establish the humanitarian aid programme for the Western Saharan population (Sierra Leone);
144.30 Fully cooperate with the Secretary-General, the African Union special envoys and OHCHR on the situation in Western Sahara (South Africa)
[...]
144.58 Ensure procedures governing the registration of civil society organizations, including those advocating for the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination (Iceland);
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144.61 Ensure that the procedures governing the registration of civil society organizations, including organizations advocating for the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination, are in conformity with international standards (Norway);
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144.68 Enable the people of Western Sahara to exercise their right to self-determination through a democratic referendum (Zimbabwe);
[...]
144.117 Ensure the Constitution’s provisions on freedom of the press, freedom of opinion and expression and freedom of assembly and association are respected, including for people who want to express their views on the situation of and in Western Sahara (Sweden);
[...]
144.243 Allow the Saharawi people to freely exercise their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with General Assembly resolutions and in this context accept a schedule proposed by the Secretary-General on the organization of a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara (Namibia);
144.244 Develop and implement independent and credible measures to ensure full respect for human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedom of expression and assembly (Iceland).”