Geneva Institute for Human Rights

The Geneva Institute for Human Rights held an educational tour of Geneva for 13 professors from the faculties of science, law, economics, and social development from the University of Cadi Ayyad of Morocco from September 26-30.

The tour coincided with the work of the 18th session of the Human Rights Council, which allowed the participants the opportunity to attend discussions of the Secretary General's report on the situation in Gaza, a Special Rapporteur's report on racial discrimination, and a Special Rapporteur's report on the human rights situation in Somalia. Participants also attended a seminar on measures to implement the UN recommendation on the role of the Ombudsman in the defense of human rights, organized by a representative from Morocco, and a symposium on "the promotion and protection of human rights through tolerance and reconciliation," as well as various meetings on draft resolutions and elections.

Participants met Ambassador Omar Hilal, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations in Geneva, and many of the staff of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, including John Ray, Chief of the Civil Society Unit, Ibrahim Salama, head of United Nations mechanisms, and Baker Ndiaye, director of the Human Rights Council, Faraj Fneish, head of the Middle East and North Africa department, and Mona Rishmawi, legal adviser and head of the Rule of Law and Democracy unit.

They also met Arab experts from the Committee on the Rights of the Child, who spoke with the group about how they see the role of university professors in spreading the culture of children's rights.

This tour is the first to introduce Arab university professors to Geneva's ​​human rights protection mechanisms. Following this tour from the University of Cadi Ayyad, the Kingdom of Morocco is considering sending representatives from the Justice Department to benefit from a similar opportunity.