King Hassan II calls for greater human rights awareness in the Arab states
King Hassan II called this Wednesday for the elaboration of an Arab declaration which will contribute to deepening and promoting awareness on human rights issues in the Arab states.
In a message addressed to participants of a regional conference on human rights education in the Arab world which opened on Wednesday in Rabat, the king said the holding of this 1st Arab conference in Morocco and the Moroccan support to international human rights organizations should be a moral motivation for the conference to draft an Arab declaration to deepen awareness of human rights issues and instill in the coming generations lofty values.
The king further insisted on the importance of teaching human rights principles since early childhood, as human rights practices should be the result of a personal conviction, and not limited to the adoption of provisions and laws.
The king also commended that UN General Assembly's decision to devote this decade to human rights education, adding that Morocco has "opted for the multi-party system and consecrated in the constitution preamble and in various laws and stances adherence to human rights principles as they are universally recognized," on the basis of a strong will to build a state of law and to make of institutions and structures the foundations for democracy practice.
He underlined that this choice is inspired from the country's ancestral civilization and cultural and spiritual legacy as well adaptation to human experiences.
The conference, to close doors on Feb.20, is organized by Moroccan Human rights department in collaboration with the UNESCO and the UN Development Program.
The three-day conference includes debates on Arab states experiences in matters of human rights culture and education.
Participants will also assess the progress made by Arab states in the field and will discuss the role and importance of respecting Human rights in boosting socioeconomic development and consolidating democracy and the rule of law.