Ambassador to AU Highlights Morocco's Experience in Children's Right, Welfare

25 January 2023 Printable Version

Rabat - Morocco's Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) and UNECA, Ambassador Mohamed Arrouchi, highlighted the Kingdom's experience in the field of children's rights and welfare before the AU Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC).

In this regard, the Moroccan diplomat stressed the holding of the first National Congress on the Rights of the Child on May 25, 1995, which culminated in the creation of the National Observatory on the Rights of the Child, chaired by HRH Princess Lalla Meryem.

This Observatory is one of the mechanisms aimed at the consecration and protection of the rights of the child through the application of the UN conventions on the protection of the rights of the child and the strengthening of the continuous follow-up with national and international partners of the situation of the child in Morocco, added Arrouchi.

The creation of the Children's Parliament is another fundamental mechanism in this field. This structure has become a space for exchange and familiarization of children with democratic practices, the culture of dialogue and coexistence, involving children in the decision-making process, noted the Moroccan diplomat.

In the same vein, the Kingdom has adopted the National Pact for Children until 2030. This Pact, which was signed during the 16th edition of the National Congress on the Rights of the Child in Marrakech in November 2019, is based on several pillars, such as the establishment of better governance, coordination of the children's sector and the establishment of a relevant budget, he added.

The Moroccan delegation to this session also stated that the Kingdom, within the framework of its presidency of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union, organized a meeting in October 2022 on preventing the recruitment and use of children in conflict situations.

During this meeting, PSC members strongly condemned the continued recruitment and use of children by armed forces, armed groups and terrorist organizations in Africa.

On this occasion, the Moroccan delegation urged all actors to fully respect international humanitarian and human rights law, to respect and preserve the civilian and humanitarian character of educational centers and refugee and IDP camps, and to immediately cease the targeting and use of schools and refugee and IDP camps as recruitment centers.

The African Union's Committee of Permanent Representatives began work last week in Addis Ababa on its 45th Ordinary Session in preparation for the next AU Summit scheduled for February next year.