A/HRC/13/44 Council in Moroccan elections monitoring. Mrs. Randa Al-Siniora of the Occupied Palestinian Territory described the immense difficulties faced by the Palestinian elections observers during parliamentary and presidential elections in the occupied territories due to the severe limitation in access and movement across numerous checkpoints. Dr. Ali alDabbas of Jordan spoke of the engagement in advocacy (during and after the passing of the Jordanian electoral law) by the National Center for Human Rights and described the difficulties faced by the NCHRJ observers in terms of obtaining licenses and approval to access polling sites by Jordanian authorities. OHCHR Regional Representative, Mr. Fateh Azzam, facilitated the last working session entitled “Next Steps for NHRIs: Identification of Challenges, Opportunities and the required Support: A Road-Map for the Future”. During the session, the speakers, His Excellency Dr. Muhyieddeen Touq, Commissioner General of the National Center for Human Rights of Jordan, and Mr. Habib Sleem of the Higher Committee on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Tunisia (Le Comité supérieur des droits de l’homme et des libertés fondamentales) summarized the discussions and findings of the past two days, reiterating the need for closer partnerships with the civil society organizations, advocacy for clear legislations, importance of having NHRIs not shy away from complicated and sensitive issues and the need for the NHRIs to complement the good work of the civil society. Following their presentations, representatives of other NHRIs presented their proposals for future action and follow-up, adopting, towards the end of the session, a series of recommendations, as well as a concept of a letter on the recommendations to be shared with the participants, Arab States and Arab regional organizations. The Conference was closed by brief remarks by His Excellency Dr. Muhyieddeen Touq and Mr. Gianni Magazzeni of OHCHR. Recommendations and final points The following points related to the role of NHRIs in connection with elections were agreed upon: 1. To officially distribute the report and recommendations resulting from the Conference to the participants, States and regional Arab organizations; 2. To engage the ICC of NHRIs and regional coordinating bodies and other civil society organizations in connection with NHRI role in elections; i.e. developing election laws and election procedures; 3. Develop a database of NHRIs best practices and lessons learned in connection with elections; 4. To ensure relevant international standards for the holding of free and fair elections are reflected in domestic laws and practices and ensure that governments are provided with the necessary assistance concerning the conditions for holding free and fair elections; 5. To assist with the creation and development of independent electoral commissions; 6. To monitor the human rights aspects of election before and during the elections in cooperation with independent national and international observers; 7. To ensure follow-up action by the government and other State entities in connection with recommendations related to electorate laws and election procedures as well as those resulting from electoral observers missions; 28 GE.10-10269