From 19th to 21st June, it has been organized the first preparation seminar in Casablanca of the World Forum on Human Rights, to be held from 27th to 30th November in Marrakech. On Saturday 21st NOVACT participated in the discussions, along with other international organizations, highlighting the necessity to pay attention on the important role that social movements should play in such forums.
President of the National Council for Human Rights of Morocco, Driss El Yazami, said that the organization of this event in the country is an “international recognition to the achievements of the Kingdom in this area and the vitality of national institutions and civil society organizations that are working in the field of human rights”, he expressed in the framework of the preparatory seminary. The seminar served to create synergies between the various Moroccan organizations, sectors of society (government departments, voluntary organizations…) and international organizations.
The Forum is an initiative that seeks to promote a space for public debate on Human Rights, where his main achievements and challenges are addressed with a focus on respect for differences, social participation, reducing inequalities and combating all violations of human rights around the World. The previous forum was held in Brasilia (Brazil) from 10th to 13th December 2013 and included major conferences on the right of peoples and memory rights, among others.
Social movements must be key actors
The Golden Tuplip Farah, in Casablanca, hosted every day of talks and discussions on preparations for the 2014 Forum. After three days of sharing ideas, the participants proposed the adoption of a specific plan of action. This plan emerge: the creation of a website where reporting the progress of the Forum preparation; planning a second international preparation seminar to be held in November; the creation of an ad-hoc association that is responsible for the financial management and logistics of the event. In addition, it was pointed out the determination to reach different profiles, as civil society, UN agencies, international networks, government agencies, local governments, etc. All this with the intention that the Forum offers a tangible and legitimate position, such as the adoption of a joint statement.
NOVACT insisted that social movements are key actors for the defense and protection of rights because of their direct work with victims of violations, and for their constant activism and their commitment to issues affecting society. So, highlighted the danger to do not listen their proposals to create the next forum. It is important to make them an active part of any decision.
From the Institute, we have offered our help in the identification of movements from Spain, and we have provided to the organization our knowledge on human security and peacebuilding.
The National Council for Human Rights of Morocco was accompanied by the International Federation of Human Rights, the President of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Centre for promotion of human rights in Argentina, international think tanks on peacebuilding, social organizations and trade unions from the Arab world, sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
