Assahafa.com
The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) on Monday opened its 61st session at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, with the participation of Morocco.
The opening session was chaired by Indonesian Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations in Geneva, in his capacity as President of the HRC for 2026.
The session featured statements by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President of the General Assembly Annalena Baerbock, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, and Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis.
Running through March 31, the session will consider more than 80 reports and hold approximately 20 interactive dialogues with independent experts and mandate holders.
Over more than five weeks, the Council’s 47 member states will examine the human rights situation in nearly 40 countries, in addition to reviewing a wide range of thematic reports addressing issues such as torture, cultural rights, the right to food, environmental protection, counterterrorism measures, and the right to privacy.
A high-level segment, scheduled from February 23 to 25, will bring together representatives from more than 100 countries. Six heads of state or government, over 70 FMs, 13 ministers of justice and attorneys general, along with other senior officials, are expected to deliver national statements.
The program also includes roundtable discussions on key themes, including human rights and the culture of peace; financing for sustainable development; inclusive infrastructure that takes disability into account, particularly in transport and housing; and the rights of the child, with a focus on violations committed against children in armed conflict.
Morocco is represented at this session by a delegation led by the Interministerial Delegate for Human Rights, Mohamed El Habib Belkouch, who will deliver the Kingdom’s statement during the plenary meeting of the high-level segment.
Belkouch will also chair a high-level side event dedicated to the International Network of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRFs), for which Morocco serves as coordinator.
Scheduled for February 24, the event is being organized in partnership with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Permanent Missions of Morocco, Brazil, Portugal, and Paraguay to the UN in Geneva, as well as the Universal Rights Group. It will present the Network’s achievements, notably the adoption of its 2026–2030 action plan and the launch of its virtual platform.
The meeting will also renew the call for broader membership to enhance the exchange of best practices and further strengthen national implementation and reporting mechanisms.
On the sidelines of the session, Belkouch is set to hold bilateral talks with several senior UN officials and prominent international human rights figures. These engagements reflect the Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights’ continued commitment to international cooperation and to sharing Morocco’s experience in advancing and protecting human rights.
Discussions will also address avenues for cooperation with organizations and experts involved in major international human rights events scheduled to take place in Morocco later this year.
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