Morocco/Western Sahara: UN rights expect calls for cultural rights promotion

2011 Sep 30 - 17:22

A UNOHCHR Independent Expert in the field of cultural rights, Farida Shaheed, urged the Moroccan Government to further promote cultural rights and diversity after concluding a 12-day trip around the country from September 5-16.

During her mission, Shaheed visited Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakesh, Fes, Meknes, and Khemisset in Morocco, where she met with Government officials and civil society representatives, in addition to academics, grassroots leaders, and representatives from different cultural communities and minority groups.

While the new Constitution places greater emphasis on cultural rights and diversity and confers an official status to the languages of the Amazigh population, relevant bylaws still must be passed to make those commitments tangible, said Shaheed.

At one cultural festival in Dakhla, Western Sahara, she added, "some Saharawi musicians were denied participation because of the specific cultural references contained in their proposed performances. A number were also unable to give their children Hassani names.” Measures that limit the cultural rights of the population of Western Sahara should be immediately revoked, she said.