Morocco Elected President of the 3rd UN General Assembly Commission in New York

New York – Morocco’s ambassador to the UN, Omar Hilale, was elected Monday unanimously by the 193 UN Member States,President of the third Commission for the 70th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Morocco’s election, on behalf of Africa, the head of the main body of the UN General Assembly is an international recognition of bold reforms undertaken by HM King Mohammed VI in the field of human rights, Man and His commitment to African causes, say observers at the United Nations.

The 3rd Commission of UNGA addresses issues of human rights, social and humanitarian.

This election also strengthens national momentum for democracy, the rule of law and human rights and enshrines the deep roots of Morocco in the universal values ​​of equality between women and men, pluralism, moderation, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and dialogue among civilizations and cultures.

It is, moreover, strong and unanimous appreciation of the members of the UN role played by Morocco States in the field of human rights both within the Council of Human Rights in the 3rd Commission. The action and commitment of Morocco at international level by, inter alia through the multitude of initiatives launched by Morocco within these bodies, as well as its leading role in the establishment and revision of rights mechanisms rights, including that of the Universal Periodic Review, which he is the architect.

The choice of Hilale ambassador also based on his long experience of almost 25 years in the field of human rights at the UN level and international humanitarian law. Hilale was Ambassador of Morocco in Geneva the time of the Commission on Human Rights, as well as after the creation of the Council for Human Rights, which succeeded the Commission in 2006. He has held several roles and responsibilities during the creation of the Council of Human Rights, of which particularly that of facilitator of the review process of the mechanism of the Universal Periodic Review, will be recalled.

It should be noted that this is the third president of Morocco’s Grand Committee of the General Assembly since its accession to the UN in 1956 and the 2nd Moroccan chair this Commission. Ms. Halima Warzazi had chaired the 3rd Commission in 1966, while Ambassador Mohamed Benouna, had presided in 2004, the 6th Committee of the General Assembly in charge of legal issues.

The 3rd Commission deals with human rights and humanitarian. It shall, in particular social issues such as the promotion of women’s rights and child protection, and the protection of fundamental freedoms, crime prevention, criminal justice or the international drug control. It is also in charge of refugee issues and international humanitarian law.