A/HRC/21/3 35. Uganda commended Morocco on its continued dialogue with treaty bodies and special procedures. It noted the establishment of an Inter-ministerial Unit on Human Rights and a National Human Rights Council and the Office of the Ombudsman. Uganda encouraged Morocco to continue to uplift the rights of special groups such as women and migrants through its equality agenda for 2011–2015. 36. Ukraine praised Morocco’s progress in the implementation of the UPR recommendations. It inquired about Morocco’s assessment of the National Human Rights Council and its advantages as compared to its predecessor. It also asked about its key priorities in Western Sahara. 37. United Arab Emirates asked what measures Morocco had adopted to promote a human rights culture in education, nationality and gender equality. It wished to know how Morocco envisaged disseminating and implementing the new medical assistance system. The United Arab Emirates made a recommendation. 38. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland noted Morocco’s increased engagement with international human rights instruments. It was strongly supportive of Morocco’s internal reform process and welcomed the establishment of the National Human Rights Council in 2011. It expressed concerns over the imprisonment of journalists and students and by the long-standing detention without trial of Sahrawi detainees arrested during the Gdim Izik protests. It continued to be concerned with the human rights situation in the non-self governing territory of Western Sahara. 39. United States of America expressed concern about arrests of journalists, bloggers and artists, allegations of police brutality against peaceful demonstrators and the torture of detainees by the security forces, and failure to register civil society organizations advocating on behalf of minority populations. United States of America made recommendations. 40. Uruguay valued the new Constitution that acknowledged enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions, the reforms on the area of transitional justice and the adoption of the National Action Plan for Democracy and Human Rights. Uruguay made recommendations. 41. Uzbekistan asked what steps Morocco had taken to implement Millennium Development Goal 4 relating to reducing child mortality. It wished to know whether cooperation programmes with the appropriate international agencies had been developed and how the public would be informed. Uzbekistan made a recommendation. 42. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) commended Morocco’s efforts to implement the previous UPR recommendations. It noted the lifting of reservations to CEDAW as a positive step towards promoting gender balance. It also noted efforts made to combat poverty. Venezuela made recommendations. 43. Viet Nam noted that the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights had progressively improved, but acknowledged that Morocco still faced challenges, particularly addressing vulnerable groups and the socioeconomic constraints exacerbated by the financial crisis. It made recommendations. 44. Yemen praised Morocco for its attention to UPR showing its sincerity towards United Nations mechanisms. It noted this is the reflection of its commitment to strengthen human rights. Yemen made a recommendation. 45. Zimbabwe noted progress made in promoting and protecting the human rights of women, children, persons with disabilities and migrants. It also noted the national priorities, initiatives and commitments made by Morocco to advance human rights in line with its Constitution. Zimbabwe made recommendations. 7