HM King Mohammed VI Expresses Morocco’s Solidarity With Victims Of Reclusiveness, Intolerance, Rejection Of Others

PERSISMA, Marrakech, Nov. 27, 2014 – HM King Mohammed VI expressed Morocco’s solidarity with and compassion for the victims of reclusiveness, intolerance, rejection of others and called on the international community to be more actively supportive of victims.

These pathologies, based on ethnic considerations or a distorted understanding of the lofty message of religion, are leading to blatant violations of fundamental rights, including the sacred right to life, the Sovereign said in a message to the participants of the 2nd World Forum on Human Rights, read out by Justice and Liberties Minister, Mustapha Ramid.

In this respect, HM the King recalled that since the Vienna Conference, “human rights have gained in importance, becoming a key variable not only in the life of nations but also in international relations. However, there have been some deviations in connection with this growing universality, which must also rise to unprecedented challenges”.

Noting that the universal character of human rights must not be questioned, the Monarch underlined that this universality should, in its very essence, be the result of a progressive, dynamic process whereby values are embraced at individual and collective levels.

“In this process, national and cultural traditions should be allowed to find their rightful place around a set of immutable values, not in opposition to it or next to it”, HM the King said, adding that universal values “acquire greater legitimacy when they represent and protect human diversity, and when all peoples and cultures contribute to shaping them, ultimately considering them as their own”.

Underlining that major changes and global challenges underscore the need for holistic, well thought-out and concerted responses, HM the King said that by embracing universal human rights values, the countries of the South, civil society and national human rights institutions play an active role in the process of setting up regional and international instruments for the protection and promotion of human rights.

In this regard, the Sovereign noted that whereas ‘first and second’ generation human rights still enjoy a prominent position, it must be acknowledged that new areas of interest have emerged, such as the protection of the rights of the elderly, human rights in the digital age, human rights and the corporate sector, the legal empowerment of the poor and the enforceability of economic and social rights.

HM the King also expressed Morocco’s pride to host this global event, which constitutes a “tribute not only to Morocco, but to our African continent as well”.

The Monarch also commended the Republic of Brazil for deciding, in December 2013, to launch this new dynamic which supplements regional and global social forums, as well as the Republic of Argentina, which was initially going to host this Second Forum, but which – together with Brazil – supported Morocco’s candidature.