16 September 2013 – Morocco’s Ambassador to Poland Youns Tijani called on Philippine Ambassador Patricia Ann V. Paez the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw last September 05 and apprised her of his country’s continuing implementation of democratic reforms, and stressed that Morocco is the only Arab member of the Community of Democracies (CD).

Ambassador Paez informed the envoy that the Philippines is a founding member of the Community of Democracies and that it spearheaded the formation of the International Conference on New or Restored  Democracies (CNRD) in 1988 following the restoration of democracy in the country in 1986.

The Philippine ambassador also stated that the Philippines, under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III, is relentless in its drive against graft and corruption which is an issue of concern in the CD.

Ambassador Tijani informed Ambassador Paez that Morocco established its Central Authority for Corruption Prevention (ICPC) in 2008 and it has since become very active. He added that in December 2012, ICPC head Abdesselam Aboudrar visited Poland to exchange information and best practices with Poland’s own anti-corruption officials.

He also said that Morocco has made many contributions and commitments in the field of human rights. The new Moroccan Constitution adopted by referendum last July affirmed Morocco’s adherence to a democratic and modern society that respects human rights.

An Aide Memoire provided  by Ambassador Tijani to the Philippine Embassy states:

“The constitutionalisation of the primacy of international law over national law, the recognition of, and respect for local cultural diversity, the criminalization of torture and enforced disapperances, together with the decision by Morocco to further open up to all the special procedures of the Human Rights Council, are further measures to reinforce the Kingdom’s voluntary and concrete commitment to promote and protect human rights.”

It added, “The Kingdom of Morocco turned the promotion and protection of human rights into a fundamental dimension of its diplomacy and relationship with all of its partners at the United Nations...”  END