MOROCCO’S NATIONAL REPORT – 25 August 2022
doc. A_HRC_WG.6_41_MAR_1
The Kingdom of Morocco submitted its fourth report under the URP mechanism in 2022. In line with the last 2017 report, no specific references on the situation on Western Sahara were made.
COMPILATION PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS – 29 August 2022
doc. A_HRC_WG.6_41_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: 3, 74-76.
STAKEHOLDERS’ SUBMISSION TO THE UN UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW – 18 August 2022.
doc. A_HRC_WG.6_41_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 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: 6-7, 15, 23, 30-31, 42, 47, 72, 79, 81-85.
REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW – MOROCCO – 6 January 2023
doc. A_HRC_52_7
The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review reviewed Morocco’s report on 8 November 2022. The first part of the report contains a presentation by Morocco and several statements made by some delegations. The second part includes conclusions and recommendations as supported by specific States. Specific references can be found at para. 54, 56, 57.289-57.306. Significantly, specific recommendations were made on the situation on Western Sahara. Some of these are reported here:
“57.292 Take all necessary measures to ensure respect for the human rights of all people in Western Sahara, including human rights defenders, through enhanced cooperation with OHCHR and by facilitating their monitoring missions (Ireland);
[...]
57.295 Respect the right of the people of Western Sahara to enjoy and utilize fully and freely their natural resources (Namibia);
57.296 Enhance cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including through urgently facilitating access by OHCHR to visit the Western Sahara region and allowing access to Sahrawi political prisoners (South Africa);
57.297 Respect all norms of international humanitarian law, in particular the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (1949), and ensure that detainees in Western Sahara are treated in human conditions (South Africa)
[...]
57.303 Put in place an accountability mechanism to closely monitor and address the rights and freedoms of the peoples of Western Sahara (Uganda)“