Geneva: Morocco’s Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, held a series of bilateral talks in Geneva on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the High-Level Segment of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the minister met with Thomas Grber, head of the UN Division and Deputy State Secretary of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Morocco’s vote in favor of a universal moratorium on the application of the death penalty was welcomed. Discussions included the possibility of holding an international symposium in Morocco on the abolition of the death penalty and the process of revising the Family Code to enshrine gender equality and children’s rights. The meeting also allowed for an exchange of expertise and experiences, highlighting reforms to the Penal Code and the law on alternative sentencing.
In another meeting with Sidi Ahmed Bennane, Mauritania’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Humanitarian Action and Relations with Civil Society, the focus was on revising the Family Code and exploring a memorandum of understanding to share Moroccan expertise in human rights and training with Mauritania.
The Minister engaged in talks with Hala bint Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri, Chairwoman of the Human Rights Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Their discussions centered on the Family Codes of the two nations and emphasized the Kingdom’s efforts to protect children’s rights, achievements regarding marriage for minors, and alternative penalties.
During discussions with Isabelle Rome, France’s Ambassador for Human Rights, Morocco’s stance on a moratorium on the death penalty and its progress in safeguarding domestic workers’ rights were praised. Additionally, the dialogue touched upon sharing property acquired during marriage and the importance of ongoing exchanges on human rights issues of mutual interest.
Ouahbi is leading a Moroccan delegation to the 58th session of the HRC, which runs from February 24 to April 4, and includes representatives from several pertinent government departments and institutions.