UNICEF, Morocco's Child Observatory positively assess child rights in Morocco

In a joint statement released on Friday on the occasion of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Morocco's ratification of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, the two organizations highlighted the significant progress made since 1993, including the incorporation of the principle of equity into the various programmes and policies enabling the realization of child rights.

"The actors in the field of children's rights are unanimous in recognizing the efforts made over the last twenty years, among other things, to ensure universal access to primary education, child vaccination and reduction of child and maternal mortality", the statement said.

Achievements also include the significant effort to bring national legislation into line with international commitments in the field and the establishment of legal texts that are increasingly protective of the child, the source added.

The UNICEF representative in Morocco, Aloys Kamuragiye, said that the mid-term review of the National Action Plan for Children (PANE) adopted by Morocco in 2006 shows "substantial progress but also challenges that the Moroccan society is obliged to meet the commitments made vis-à-vis children in Morocco."

He added that the implementation of the principle of equity in the various child programmes and policies will accelerate the progress two years only of the ahead the PANE and the MDGs.