Morocco prepares to host first UNHRC retreat in the MENA region

On November 21-22, Morocco will host the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) retreat in Rabat, becoming the first MENA country to do so. Morocco assumed the UNHRC presidency for 2024, overcoming opposition from South Africa and Algeria. The presidency rotates annually among five regional groups.

The three key speakers will reportedly be: Omar Zniber, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

This year’s retreat will focus on Morocco’s proposals to streamline the council’s operations and enhance its efficiency, according to Morocco World News. 

Attendees are also expected to address the Universal Periodic Review, a process that examines the human rights records of all 193 UN member states and recommends reforms.

Amid global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, the UNHRC has faced increased scrutiny, with calls for greater accountability and significant reforms to its structure.

Established in 2006, the UNHRC is tasked with promoting human rights and addressing violations worldwide. However, it has faced criticism for its perceived inaction, including allegations against China for human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet, which China has dismissed as “misinformation.”