Navi Pillay: CESE report on fundamental human rights in southern provinces 'lays foundation for genuine openness'

Rabat - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay said Wednesday in Rabat that the report on human basic economic, social, cultural and environmental rights in the Southern provinces, which was prepared by the Economic, social and Environmental Council (CESE), "lays the groundwork for genuine openness.

" In a statement to the press following her meeting with President of CESE, Nizar Baraka, Pillay said she "is looking forward to seeing the final report of the Council which will mark a break with past policies," adding that this initiative seeks to "lay the foundation for genuine openness and involve the local population in the development process." The UN official praised the "new development model of the southern provinces developed by CESE based on wide consultations and greater transparency," adding that the Office "will continue to study this model." In a similar statement, Baraka said the meeting was an opportunity to present the new model of development of the Southern provinces, designed according to a participatory approach, based on the need to improve the living conditions of the local population and promote good governance under the advanced regionalization.