Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental Ad-hoc Committee in charge of drafting an opinion on the new regional development model for the Kingdom’s southern provinces Assessing effective access to basic human, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights in the southern provinces First Report March 2013 www.cese.ma Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental The Economic, Social and Environmental Council Ad-hoc Committee in charge of drafting an opinion on the new regional development model for the Kingdom’s southern provinces Assessing effective access to basic human, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights in the southern provinces First Report March 2013 The Economic, Social and Environmental Council Imprimerie Cana Print 5IF&DPOPNJD Social et Environnemental$PVODJM prFTFOUTJUTJOUFSNSFQPSU Assessing effective access to basic human, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights in the southern provinces RFrt prFQBSFECZ "EIPD$PNNJUUFFJODIBSHFPGESBGUJOHBOPQJOJPOPOUIFOFXSFHJPOBM EFWFMPQNFOUNPEFMGPSUIF,JOHEPNTTPVUIFSOQSPWJODFT Rapporteurs : M. Fouad Benseddik Mme Laila Berbich Mme Amina Lamrani Mme Hajbouha Zoubeir Contents Acronyms Background Methodology Summary • A deeply transformed society • Need for a holistic vision: Need to take into account the colonial legacy and the geopolitical constraint • Achievements and strengths to be shored up • Weaknesses and areas of concern • Key challenges to democracy and regional development in the southern regions Chapter 1 Access to basic services and social welfare • Right to life, freedom and security of person • Right to health • Right to food security • Right of access to water and water management • Right to education • Right to employment and to fair, favorable and equitable conditions • Right to entrepreneurship • Right to housing • Right to mobility and transport • Right to leisure • Right to justice and judicial protection • Right to social welfare • Right to information • Right to freedom of expression • Right to security Chapter 2 Knowledge, education and cultural development • Right to access secondary education • Promotion of technical education • Promoting access to higher education and developing professional skills training • Right to continuing education • Right to culture • Right to sport • Intellectual property rights 8 Chapter 3 Inclusion and solidarity • Non-discrimination and gender equality • Protection of the family • Protection of vulnerable people and groups • Protection of migrant workers and their families • Right to protection in case of termination of service • Curbing social exclusion Chapter 4 Protection of children • Children’s right to information, education and training • Mother and child medical and sanitary protection • Protection of children against violence, trafficking, abuse and exploitation Chapter 5 Social dialogue, civil dialogue and innovative partnerships • freedom of association and the right to organize • Collective rights • Right to strike • Freedom of association • Promoting civil dialogue • Corporate social responsibility • Partnership contracts for the promotion of economic and social progress Chapter 6 Environmental protection • Right to a healthy environment • Preservation of the environment • Preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems • Risk and natural disaster prevention Chapter 7 Responsible governance, economic development and social democracy • Compliance with international treaties and conventions • Compliance with laws and regulations • Obligation of transparency and accountability • Governance quality of public services and social programs • Fight against corruption • Protection and promotion of corporate rights • Stakeholder information and participation • Promotion and protection of community action • Expanding the contribution of collective agreements • Giving a territorial dimension to the preparation and management of social development Bibliography 9 Acronyms ADS: Social Development Agency ANPME: National Agency for the promotion of small and medium businesses APDS: Agency for the promotion and the economic and social development of the southern provinces CDM: Clean Development Mechanism CDT : Democratic Labor Confederation CEDAW: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women CESE: Economic, Social and Environmental Council CNDH: National Council for Human Rights CNE: National Environment Council CNSS: National Social Security Fund CORCAS: Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs CRC: Convention on the Rights of the Child CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization FAR: Royal Armed Forces FDT: Democratic Labor Federation FIDH: International Federation for Human Rights FNE: National Fund for environmental protection and enhancement FODEP: Industrial pollution abatement fund GS: Guelmim - Es-Smara Region HCP: High Commissioner for Planning HCEFLCD: High Commissioner for water, forests and the fight against desertification ICPC: Central Authority for the Prevention of Corruption ICCPR: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICESCR: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights IER: Justice and Reconciliation Commission ILO: International Labor Office INDH: National Initiative for Human Development 10 ISO: International Organization for Standardization ISTA: Applied Technology Institute LBSH: Laayoun - Boujdour - Sakia - el- Hamra Region MEN: Ministry of National Education NICTs: New information and communication technologies OCP: Office Chérifien des Phosphates ODCO: Development and Cooperation Office ODL: Oued ed-Dahab – Lagouira Region ODT: Democratic Labor Organization OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OFPPT: Office for vocational training and the promotion of employment OIF: International Organization of la Francophonie ILO: International Labor Organization MDGs: Millennium Development Goals NGO: Non-Governmental Organization OMDH: Moroccan Human Rights Organization OMPIC: Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office ONDE: National Observatory on the Rights of the Child ONEE: National electricity and drinking water authority ONP: National Fisheries Office SIBE: Biological and ecological interest site UN: United Nations Organization UCESIF: French-speaking Union of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions of Francophonie Governments and States UDHR: Universal Declaration of Human Rights UGTM: Morocco’s General Workers Union UNDP: United Nations Development Program UMT: Moroccan Labor Union UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNTM: National Labor Union in Morocco UPR: Universal Periodic Review WHO: World Health Organization 11 12 BACKGROUND 1. In accordance with the High Instructions of His Majesty the King, the CESE started considering, in November 2012, a new, rigorous and integrated regional development Model for the southern provinces. The Ad Hoc Committee in charge of the project prepared a framework paper introducing an initial diagnosis and defining a working methodology for the conduct of its mission. It identified five challenges requiring “in-depth reflection”: (1) boosting the economy; (2) consolidating social cohesion and promoting culture; (3) enhancing social inclusion and consolidating the fight against poverty; (4) ensuring effective protection of the environment and sustainable territorial development, and (5) defining responsible, inclusive governance. It indicated that the design of the new development model would be based on respect for and promotion of fundamental human rights, taking into account the strategic objectives of opting for the social market economy, broad-based regionalization, interregional solidarity and a positive approach to subsidiarity. The latter consists in empowering local and intermediate bodies to take part in the design and implementation of development projects. The framework paper was presented to His Majesty King Mohammed VI on January 2nd by the CESE President. 2. Since January 2013, the Commission has held a series of meetings in Rabat with various stakeholders, including MPs and Councilors from both Houses of Parliament. From 13 to 19 January 2013, three CESE subcommittees visited each of the three regional chief towns (Laayoun, Dakhla and Guelmin) as well as several provinces (Boujdour, Es-Smara, Tan Tan, Assa, Tata, Aousserd and Mhiriz). They held over 50 on-the-spot meetings with local elected officials, representatives of professional chambers, business leaders, trade union representatives, chiefs of external branch offices and representatives of dozens of civil society organizations involved in human and social rights. 13 During those meetings, over 1,000 stakeholders had an opportunity to convey their views, and all those who expressed a desire to participate took part in these meetings or met in small groups with CESE members. In addition to these meetings, CESE representatives visited facilities and activity sites (ports, farms, fishing villages, sports facilities, libraries…). 3. Throughout the process, a CESE citizens’ forum, in the form of a Web-supported platform called Al Moubadara lakum, was made available to all contributors who wished to share with the CESE their works, contribute ideas or make suggestions about the format of the new development model for the southern provinces. Similarly, a call for proposals is expected to be issued for studies to be carried out by researchers and doctoral students in fields relating to the development of