UN Human Rights Advisory Committee: Who is Morocco's Nadia Amal Bernoussi?
Rabat – Morocco continues to consolidate its presence on the global human rights map, with the North African kingdom consistently securing leading positions within international human rights organizations.
The latest highlight of the country's strengthened standing in the global human rights conversation was yesterday's election of Nadia Amal Bernoussi as president of the UN Human Rights Council's Advisory Committee at its 33rd session in Geneva.
Consisting of 18 independent exports, the council focuses on studies and human rights recommendations. Its experts come from different professional backgrounds.
Amal Bernoussi's portfolio documents her activism and sustained interest in different sectors, including human rights.
Her expertise is attributed to her involvement in different roles as well as her extensive educational background.
Amal Bernoussi's education portfolio includes a BA and Master's in Political Science from the Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences at the Mohammed V University.
She also holds a PhD in Public Law from the Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences Rabat Agdal from Mohammed V University.
Amal Bernoussi also served as a professor of Constitutional Law and Political institutions at the National School of Administration of Rabat, the Moroccan Academy of Diplomatic Studies, and the Facility of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences Rabat Agdal.
She also served as a President of the Commission for the Development of the Law on the Creation of the Consultative Council on Youth and Associative Action, as well as a founding member of the Gender and Governance Network and President of the Moroccan Network on Gender and Governance.
As part of her portfolio related to human rights, Amal Bernoussi also worked as a president of the UNESCO Jury on Tolerance and Non-Violence between 2016 and 2018.
Beyond her involvement in organizations and serving in high-level institutions, Amal Bernoussi also contributed to several publications, writing studies, articles, and consulting reports on different files, including elections, constitutional justice, and gender equality.
Morocco's human rights activism
Morocco has been active in strengthening its position and commitment to promoting human rights, and guaranteeing civil liberties as stipulated in the country's constitution.
Such initiatives have increasingly helped Morocco earn further recognition within the international community.
Several countries have in recent years commended Morocco's efforts toward improving and respecting human rights.
Of Morocco's election to the presidency of the council in 2023, a source from the government told Morocco World News last year that Rabat's commitment to the Council's agenda is 'part of a collaborative approach that promotes universal values, earning Morocco a leading role within HRC.'
Morocco's efforts on the global stage over the past two decades are the fruit of its 'constant activism, dynamism' and sense of responsibility as a founding member of the HRC, the source added.
Morocco won the presidency of the Council after receiving overwhelming support with 30 votes out of 47, surpassing South Africa's 17 votes.
It marked the first time Morocco assumed the presidency of the UN body, showing the country's commitment to reforms.
As part of its commitment, Morocco is also a party to 9 out of 10 major conventions related to human rights. Tags: human rightsMorocco
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