A/HRC/32/43/Add.1 I. Introduction 1. In the present report, the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity presents the key observations made during her official visit to Morocco and Western Sahara from 15 to 20 January 2016. The aim of this country visit was to observe the nature of partnerships between Morocco and its external partners and the impact of such partnerships on the advancement of human rights. The Independent Expert wishes to recall that States have a duty to engage in international cooperation, especially through economic and technical assistance to other States who lack the resources and capacity to fulfil their human rights obligations. The inference is that States undertake international cooperation to facilitate the realization of human rights outside their borders. International solidarity goes beyond simply international cooperation; it requires international cooperation based on mutual respect, equal partnership and fundamental human rights principles, and geared towards the universal realization of human rights. Furthermore, international solidarity should emanate from cooperation policies at the national level. This suggests the importance of a participatory approach, in which adequate measures are in place for meaningful consultation with those who are likely to directly or indirectly be affected by international cooperation, and of such cooperation having an impact that is not incompatible with human rights principles. 2. The Independent Expert met with representatives of various ministries, including the Inter-ministerial Delegation on Human Rights, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, the National Coordinator of the National Initiative for Human Development under the Ministry of the Interior, the Director of the Budget under the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Solidarity, Women, Family and Social Development. She also met with the Minister of Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, representatives of the Department of Vocational Training under the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, the Minister in Charge of Moroccans Living Abroad and Migration Affairs, and the Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water and the Environment. She held exchanges with the President of the Chamber of Representatives. She also met with the country’s bilateral and multilateral development partners, and with civil society organizations. The Independent Expert visited the city of Ad Dakhla in Western Sahara on 20 January 2016. 3. The Independent Expert is grateful to the Government of Morocco for its invitation and full cooperation during her visit. She extends her gratitude to the United Nations country team in Morocco for its support throughout her visit and for its interest in the work of her mandate. She thanks all the stakeholders who took the time to meet and engage with her. II. International human rights framework 4. The commitments of Morocco to various international human rights instruments and mechanisms are listed in its reports to the various treaty bodies, the reports that emerge from the universal periodic review process, and the reports of the special procedure mandate holders who have visited the country. 1 The 2011 Constitution of Morocco guarantees civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as the right to development. It is noteworthy that the principle of non-discrimination is enshrined in its 1 See the web pages of the treaty bodies and special procedure mandate holders on the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 3