HANAN HARITE

Morocco- On January 10, 2024, the UN Human Rights Council elected Ambassador Omar Zniber, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations Office at Geneva, to serve as its President for 2024. Since this announcement, Moroccan women’s organizations have taken important steps to turn this development into an opportunity for demanding the amendments of laws in accordance with all international conventions, especially the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

 The coalition of the Spring of Dignity, composed of many women's organizations and associations in Morocco, has urged the Moroccan government to uphold its obligations under international conventions by protecting freedoms, women’s rights, eliminating gender discrimination and decriminalizing abortion. They have also demanded the amendment of Law 103-13 on the elimination of violence against women in Morocco and a comprehensive that will protect women from violence.

NuJINHA spoke to several women activists in Morocco about the election of Omar Zniber as the president of the UN Human Rights Council for 2024.

‘We should set an example at the global level’

Samira Mohya, president of the Federation of Women's Rights League, thinks that the best way for Morocco to gain a reputation and credibility at the international level is to promote human rights in the country. “It is our duty to pay more attention to human rights in our country in order to set an example at the global level. In order to promote human rights in our country, we should first promote women’s rights. Morocco should amend all its laws and legislation according to the international conventions.”

‘It is an opportunity’

Samira Mohya thinks that the election of Omar Zniber as the president of the UN Human Rights Council for 2024 is an opportunity for Morocco to amend Morocco’s family code that will respect human rights, equality and parity. Women’s organizations have already held workshops on the amendment of the family code. This is a test for Morocco for promoting human rights.”

‘It’s time to achieve more gains’

Aisha Al Hayyan, lawyer and president of the Union of Feminist Action, thinks that the election of Omar Zniber as the president of the UN Human Rights Council for 2024 is the beginning of the long road to promote human rights and women’s rights in Morocco. “Morocco has already established many rights in areas such as equality and fundamental rights. It’s time to achieve more gains.”

 

‘We have to make more efforts to promote human rights’

“Politicians, NGOs and activists have to make more efforts to empower women in all facets of life,” said Aisha Al-Kalaa, president of the Moroccan Association for Victims' Rights.

“Morocco can set an example by upholding its obligations. Morocco has been involved in the international human rights system. Morocco has already achieved many gains, the Equity and Reconciliation Commission is one of them. Now, we have to make more efforts to promote human rights and women’s rights in order to guarantee their dignity in society.”