Although this heinous act was committed in front of the diplomatic representation of another Muslim country, the Kingdom of Morocco considers it a provocative act that also concerns it, the ministry said in a statement, noting that this act offends the sacred symbols and feelings of more than a billion Muslims, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Kingdom of Morocco calls on the Danish authorities to apply the law firmly to deal with these irresponsible incendiary acts and not to allow them to be repeated under any pretext whatsoever, the same source continued, stressing the need to deter all forms of hatred against religions and hurt the feelings of their followers.

"A few days before the expiry of the legal mandate of the National Press Council (CNP), after an extension of six months to organize elections for the renewal of its structures and also in view of the persistent procrastination on the plans for the implementation of the law and respect for institutions and the Kingdom’s Constitution, in support of a democratic approach and also following the multiplication of ambiguous statements that can fuel the crisis, maintain the status quo or favor the option of consecutive extensions of the mandate, the FMEJ and the FNJIC-UMT express their commitment to a democratic and constitutional approach in dealing with the problems of the sector as well as the election of its bodies and organizations,'' the two Federations said in a joint statement received Friday by MAP.

While noting that the CNP is the result of elections in accordance with Article 28 of the Constitution and must always respect the principle of alternation and the elective mode, the statement deplores "the actions of some components of the Council in violation of the Constitution, the law and ethics," "which has seriously damaged the image of this Council supposed to set an example in terms of respect for the Constitution and the promotion of democratic principles," according to the two federations.

"However, the government officially announced that this six-month extension of the CNP's mandate is exceptional to allow it to organize its elections, but we note today that six months have passed and nothing is on the horizon, only unexplained procrastination," the statement said, before pointing to "hidden intentions in the form of a bill that attacks the fundamentals of the election and the alternation of power, while favoring a tailor-made representation via an organic law."

"But even though this plan has been shelved, it remains that as members of this Council, we feel embarrassed to belong to an institution in which some seek to deprive journalists of their basic right to choose their representatives democratically," said the same source.

The two Federations also deplore the fact that "the study day organized by the government at the headquarters of the House of Representatives despite all the discriminatory maneuvers, has not led to conclusions except the words of the Speaker of the first chamber who concluded his speech by pleading for a framework law governing the sector," reiterating their "categorical refusal of a nominative constitution of the National Press Council."

That being said, the FMEJ and the FNJIC-UMT underline "the need to revise the press code in its entirety and without haste based on the conclusions and recommendations of the said study day organized at the House of Representatives suggesting a framework law, which requires a lot of time and the CNP should not be hostage but on the contrary, an actor who has fully all the ethical and democratic attributes".

The same source warned against "the drift accentuating the crisis or the desire of some opportunists who seek to deny the gains in freedom of expression enshrined by the Kingdom since the law of 1958 by imposing restrictive and impossible conditions for the exercise of the profession or the establishment of press companies, which is not compatible with international standards or the royal will and the Constitution."

The statement also warned against "attempts to exclude the majority of representatives of the national press sector and deal with institutions without any consideration of the level of representativeness," citing in support of the agreement concluded recently while "it would have been possible to achieve even greater gains if the parties in question had favored a participatory approach instead of instrumentalizing the social component."

While protesting against the deprivation of journalists of their right to choose their representatives to the Council, the two Federations "reserve the right to take the necessary decisions in accordance with their professional conscience and their ethical commitment to their members and activists, including all legitimate means and this, in the light of new developments and their compatibility with the Constitution, the law and our democratic convictions," concluded the statement. 

Nasdim Chadli (85th) and Aiman Maurer (90th+1) scored the goals of the Nationals.

The men of the national coach Issam Charrai will play another friendly match against Uzbekistan, on March 27 at 09:30 pm at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.

These two games are part of the preparations of the national team for the final phase of the 4th edition of the African Cup of Nations, scheduled for next June in Morocco.

This CAN will be qualifying for the Olympic Games Paris-2024.

Zniber, who led the Moroccan delegation during the session dedicated to the adoption of Morocco’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on the occasion of the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), denounced the political purposes of some parties who distort the human rights issue to undermine the Kingdom’s territorial integrity.

The diplomat refuted the false allegations relating to the human rights situation in the Moroccan Sahara, assuring that the southern provinces are an exceptional model in terms of economic and social development, as attested by credible international bodies.

For his part, the Secretary General of the Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights Abdelkarim Boujradi noted that Morocco is aware that some parties continue to use the UPR as a means of expressing their hostility to Morocco’s territorial integrity and its democratic and development model.

The Kingdom's firm position to accept certain recommendations relating to the respect of human rights in Morocco's southern provinces is based on the significant progress in the development process, through the implementation of the development model for the southern provinces, which has reached a high implementation rate of more than 80%, and the enjoyment by the citizens of their fundamental rights, including representation in constitutional institutions and the management of local affairs by the local population, in accordance with international human rights standards, he added.

This position is also based on a deep conviction of the importance of openness to the Special Procedures and a constant willingness to include the Kingdom’s southern provinces in their visits, said Boujradi.

He concluded that the partial acceptance of the existence of a human rights mechanism in these provinces is based on a national institutional choice represented by the regional commissions of the National Council for Human Rights and the institution of the Ombudsman, whose activities and roles have been praised and constantly commended by the international community, including the Security Council, the UN Secretary-General and the Special Procedures that have visited the region.

This adoption, which takes place within the framework of the 52nd HRC session, crowns the efforts made by Morocco to promote and protect human rights, but also its positive interaction with the UN human rights mechanisms.

During its review, Morocco received 306 recommendations from more than 120 delegations and interacted with all delegations representing all continents, said a statement from the Moroccan delegation.

This large number of countries participating in this review indicates the interest of the international community for the reforms implemented by the Kingdom, in accordance with the High Directions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and concomitantly with other strategic reform projects initiated in the perspective of the New Development Model implementation, the same source said.

The adoption of the Kingdom's report comes at a time when it is serving its third term in the UNHRC, following its re-election with a large majority praising Morocco's substantial contributions and constructive role in the proceedings of the Council.

Morocco has paid particular attention to the examination of the 306 recommendations it has received, which generally converge with the reform dynamic and the orientation of its public policies and programs in the field of human rights.

The Secretary General of the Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights Abdelkarim Boujradi stressed, on this occasion, that Morocco’s position with regard to the recommendations is based on two essential rules: The full respect of its commitments, in accordance with international conventions and treaties ratified by the Kingdom and action within the provisions of the Constitution.

Within this framework, 232 recommendations have been retained as being implemented or in the process of being implemented, due to their inclusion in the framework of public policies, strategies and programs, particularly those relating to the interaction with the United Nations human rights system, the continued harmonization of the national legal framework with international conventions, the reform of the education and training system, social protection, the strengthening of guarantees against torture, the continued improvement of the condition of detainees, and guarantees for the exercise of freedom of the press, opinion, expression, assembly and association.

These recommendations are also related to national policies and programs aimed at advancing collective rights, such as the rights of the child, the rights of persons with disabilities and migrants, equality and women's rights, human rights education and training, the new development model, the strengthening of the institutional and legal framework for human rights and the consolidation of decentralization.

In addition, the Kingdom has taken note of 37 recommendations which are partially accepted in principle and purpose, and which relate to issues under national debate, such as accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the goals of which have already been enshrined in the Constitution, as well as issues related to the death penalty, in accordance with the effective moratorium on the application of the death penalty, which has been in place since 1993.

Therefore, the Kingdom's rejection of the call for immediate action on these two issues reflects a respect for the results of the related national public debate and for their relevant political and social dimensions.

In addition, the Kingdom has expressed its partial agreement with a set of complex recommendations, such as those related to discrimination, equality, women and children's issues.

The accepted parts are part of the planned legislative reform of the family code and policies aimed at promoting equality, empowering women and protecting their rights, abolishing underage marriage, protecting the rights and best interests of the child, and ensuring equal enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights and access to various public facilities and services.

However, Morocco expresses its rejection of the remaining parts, as they are in contradiction with the unifying constants of the Moroccan nation as defined by the Constitution and the foundations of the Kingdom's treaty practice

On the other hand, the Kingdom has indicated that it has taken note of 32 recommendations which it considers to be totally rejected. Some are incompatible with the nature of this collaborative mechanism, others do not take into account the ongoing national debate on various issues and the need to prepare material and realistic conditions in this regard, while the rest are in contradiction with the constitutional constants and national identity.

Morocco has finally announced that it does not accept five recommendations related to its territorial integrity in the framework of the artificial regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, dealt with by the UN Security Council.

These recommendations have no relevance to the mandate of the Human Rights Council and are not in line with the basic foundations and principles of the Universal Periodic Review.

In keeping with the good practice it has established since the second UPR cycle, Morocco has affirmed its voluntary commitment to submit a mid-term report on the implementation of the recommendations of this fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review.

The two teams thus get their first points, while Morocco leads the group with 6 units.

The Moroccan team had beaten South Africa (2-1) and Liberia (2-0), in the two previous games of this group which has only three teams.

South Africa and Liberia will meet on Tuesday in Monrovia.

The Moroccan team will play two other matches for this group, the first away to South Africa on June 12 and the second at home against Liberia on September 4.

This memorandum was signed by the Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka and the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers, on the sidelines of the United Nations Water Conference (22-24 March).

Considering the existing ties of friendship between the two countries and wishing to strengthen them further, the two parties undertake, under the memorandum, to develop bilateral cooperation in the field of water resources on the basis of the principles of equal rights, equity, respect for sovereignty and mutual benefit.

Under this agreement, the two countries intend to cooperate in the areas of water supply, collection and reclamation of rainwater, seawater desalination , demineralization of brackish water, treatment and reuse of treated wastewater, as well as the efficient water use.

Cooperation between the two parties will also focus on remote management of groundwater and water resources, reduction of water use in the context of industry, domestic consumption, climate-smart agriculture and horticulture, flood protection and governance.

The collection and management of information to support decision making and for national, regional and global statistical purposes are also among the goals of the memorandum.

Both countries agree that cooperation will be carried out through technical assistance, exchange of information and documentation, organization of training and capacity building sessions, participation in specialized international fairs and conferences organized in Morocco and the Netherlands, in addition to the transfer of technologies in the field of water.

The signatories agree on creating a technical committee for the development and planning of action plans, in accordance with the areas of cooperation set out in the memorandum.

Baraka leads the Moroccan delegation to the UN Water Conference, which is dedicated this year to the mid-term review of the implementation of the goals of the Water Action Decade 2018-2028, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 2016.

On the sidelines of this conference, the Minister held a series of meetings with heads of delegation including the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Mali, Guinea, Chad, Senegal, Madagascar, Egypt, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Speaking at a side event organized by the League of Arab States on the sidelines of the UN Water Conference (22-24 March), Baraka said that in Morocco, water management and climate change impacts are a national priority, reiterated in the speeches of HM King Mohammed VI.

He noted that the Sovereign has given His high guidance to continue efforts to mobilize conventional and non-conventional water resources, including through the desalination of seawater and the reuse of treated wastewater.

During this meeting on "the common commitment in the Arab region to accelerate the achievement of water security for sustainable development", the Minister also said that Morocco, as part of its national energy strategy, plans to develop the production of hydroelectric power as renewable energy.

The goal is to reach 14% of the renewable energy production mix, which represents 52% of total energy production by 2030, he said, noting that the Arab region has a strong potential to develop solar and wind energy.

Baraka leads the Moroccan delegation to the UN Water Conference, which is dedicated this year to the mid-term review of the implementation of the goals of the Water Action Decade 2018-2028, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 2016.

During the plenary session of the conference, the Minister highlighted the main lines of Morocco's strategy for integrated water resources management. He stressed that the Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has succeeded through its national policy to meet its water needs, thanks in particular to the infrastructure upgrading.

Diaz Cassou, who presented the WB's economic monitoring report on Morocco, 2022-2023 Winter edition, under the title "Morocco facing shocks", said that the Kingdom has "raised the interest rate twice since September 2022, by a total of 100 basis points."

Morocco's optimal monetary policy response will depend on the persistence of price pressures and the inflation forecasts’ evolution, he said, noting that "in such a complex context, the authorities may consider complementing anti-inflationary measures by introducing structural policies aimed at easing supply constraints.

"Such measures could include initiatives or actions to address existing bottlenecks in food markets, where the wide gap between producer and retail prices is not always justified by the value added created in the supply chain," he stressed.

The report, released on February 14, 2023, said Morocco's economic growth is expected to accelerate to 3.1 percent in 2023, thanks to a rebound in the primary sector, noting that real GDP growth has fallen from 7.9 percent in 2021 to an estimated 1.2 percent in 2022, while the current account deficit has increased from 2.3 percent to 4.1 percent of GDP. 

The "Ramadan 1444" operation is an annual event organized by the Foundation for 24 years on the occasion of the advent of this blessed month, thus embodying the values of solidarity and mutual aid carried by His Majesty the King in favor of people in vulnerable situations, she explained in a statement to the press on the occasion of the launch, Friday, of this solidarity operation.

It is characterized this year by the increase in the number of beneficiaries, which rose from 600,000 households in the previous edition to one million households, nearly 5 million people, she added, noting that the composition of food aid has also been enriched by new products with high consumption during the holy month of Ramadan.

The national operation of food support has, since its inception in 1998, mobilized a total budget of nearly 2 billion dirhams, with a number of beneficiary families that has increased from 34,100 in 1998 to one million this year.