Morocco: UN expert to assess impact of international development cooperation on human rights 

French

GENEVA (12 January 2016) – The United Nations Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity, Virginia Dandan, will undertake her first official visit to Morocco from 15 to 19 January 2016 to identify good practices of international solidarity through the examination of international cooperation and more particularly international development cooperation.

“I will assess whether the current initiatives to help and support Morocco’s development efforts foster the conditions for the realization of all human rights, especially economic, social and cultural rights in the county,” Ms. Dandan said.

During her five-day visit, the expert will also evaluate if the current international cooperation practices in Morocco are in accordance with the principle of international solidarity as established by international standards.

The expert will meet with representatives of governmental institutions specialized in international cooperation including the coordination of development assistance both received and provided by Morocco.  Ms. Dandan will also meet with international development partners, civil society organization working in the field of economic, social and cultural rights as well as beneficiaries of international solidarity and all concerned stakeholders

Ms. Dandan will hold a press conference to share the preliminary findings of her visit on Tuesday 19 January at the Sofitel, Jardin des roses, Rabat at 12 h00. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to journalists.

The Independent Expert’s observations and recommendations will be reflected in her final report to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2016.

Ms. Virginia Dandan (Philippines) was appointed Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity in June 2011 by the UN Human Rights Council. She is currently an independent specialist on human rights in development, focusing on the application of the normative content of economic, social and cultural rights. Ms. Dandan was a member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1990-2010) and served as its Chairperson for eight years (1998-2006). She was also in charge of the Human Rights Community Development Project in Three Philippine Indigenous Peoples’ Communities (2008-2010). Ms. Dandan is independent from any government or organization and serves in her individual capacity. Learn more, visit: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Solidarity/Pages/IESolidarityIndex.aspx

Read the Independent Expert’s reports to the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Solidarity/Pages/AnnualReport.aspx

The Independent Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

UN Human Rights, Country Page – Morocco: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/MENARegion/Pages/MAIndex.aspx

For more information and press inquiries, please contact Ms. Yaye Ba: +41 22 917 9210 (in Geneva, before and after the visit) / +417 94 444 332 (mobile number in Morocco) / yba@ohchr.org) or write to iesolidarity@ohchr.org

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)  

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