A/HRC/8/52 page 125 periodic review, recognizing the importance of a number of issues: the draft law to promote disability rights, the appointment of a high commissioner to improve the conditions of prisons and prisoners, and organizing a national child congress, which would help towards implementing the rights of the child, all of which were among the recommendations made during the review. 293. The Syrian Arab Republic congratulated Morocco for cooperating with the universal periodic review mechanism. Morocco had made efforts to protect human rights, and had taken steps to raise awareness of the rights of various people. The Council should remember the efforts made by Morocco in the creation of the Council. It deserved credit for these efforts and its continuing commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. 294. Saudi Arabia paid special tribute to the Ambassador of Morocco for his constructive and effective role in the work of the human rights. Saudi Arabia emphasized that Morocco was a pioneer amongst Arab countries, having paid special attention to human rights at the institutional and legal levels. Saudi Arabia further noted that Morocco dealt positively with the recommendations made by the Working Group, and has accepted them, although some would have financial implications. Saudi Arabia believed that this showed the determination of Morocco to further promote and protect human rights. It welcomed the National Plan for Democracy and Human Rights drawn up by Morocco in accordance with the Vienna Declaration aimed at raising awareness of human rights. Implementation of the recommendations made during the review has already started effectively, with the setting up of a post of a high commissioner to oversee the conditions of prisons and prisoners, in accordance with international standards. Saudi Arabia noted that Morocco has also organized the Second Congress of Arab Human Rights Institutions. 295. Jordan noted that the national report discussed on 4 April 2008 during the review demonstrated the attachment of Morocco to human rights. Human rights in Morocco have continued to improve and the Government cooperated with all actors in society in their promotion. Unsurprisingly, Morocco ensured a positive and interactive dialogue throughout the process. Jordan referred to the promotion and protection of women’s rights with an increase from 1 to 11 per cent representation in the Parliament and with a 50 per cent increase among the judiciary, which has promoted equality in professions monopolized hitherto by men. Jordan recommended to Morocco to continue its cooperation with the universal periodic review mechanism. 296. Egypt expressed appreciation for Morocco’s efforts and report under the universal periodic review. It noted that Morocco had started implementing recommendations even before they were issued by the Working Group, and noted the work undertaken on prisons, and on the rights of women and children. Egypt stressed that Morocco was one of the few countries to have accepted all the recommendations, which demonstrated Morocco’s pioneering role in the field of human rights without division between various rights. 297. The United Arab Emirates congratulated Morocco for having accepted the recommendations of the Working Group and thanked it for its efforts within the universal periodic review process, improvements to the national legislation, and its improvement and guarantee of human rights through the Instance Equité et Réconciliation, in addition to the training of all the personnel and those who were in charge of implementing the laws. The United Arab Emirates stated that since the 1970s Morocco has been involved in the institutional