Youssoufi calls for the respect of cultural difference in human rights colloquy

Morocco's premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi called for the respect of cultural identity and difference as a universal heritage rather than a dogma based on xenophobia and supremacy.

Opening Friday the international colloquy on "Human rights, cultural identities and social cohesion in the Mediterranean region," Human rights minister Mohamed Aujjar read out a message on behalf of the prime minister in which he said all cultures deserve the same degree of respect because they constitute a shared heritage of mankind.

The prime minister underscored Europe's experience as a space of democracy, respect of human rights and social and economic development and invited the European Union to play a greater role in widening the democratic space in the Mediterranean through increased cooperation with all democrats in the region.

Youssoufi covered relations between the two banks of the Mediterranean and urged northern countries to adopt the international convention on protection of immigrant workers and implement provisions of the Barcelona Declaration and partnership accords in social, cultural and human matters.

Youssoufi also said peace, economic partnership and social development are closely linked and security in the Mediterranean cannot be strengthened without bridging the gap between rich and poor countries.

Several cabinet members, former heads of states and outstanding personalities attended the opening session which observed a minute of silence to the memory of martyrs of Israeli repression against the Palestinian people.