A/HRC/8/22 Page 12 68. The Democratic Republic of the Congo stated that the national report highlighted efforts made by Morocco to comply with its human rights obligations, including institutions and standardsetting, law reforms and efforts in the field of economic, social and cultural rights. It requested Morocco to provide further information on the global strategy and human resources to achieve development growth, measures to reduce the gap between urban and rural areas, and how it intended to maintain and channel the contribution of the diaspora to the country’s development. 69. Tunisia noted with satisfaction the promotion of the rights of women and the family and the reforms to improve the status of women, including the reform of the Family Code. 70. Norway recognized Morocco’s will to address past abuses through the IER and the follow up thereto by CCDH. It also welcomed the reform of the Family Code. It noted the existence of a vital media landscape but expressed concern about freedom of the press and the judicial prosecution of journalists, and requested whether the reform of the press code will provide for increased freedom of expression for the media in Morocco. 71. Australia was interested to hear from Morocco its views, approach and support for national human rights institutions and asked what role the national human rights institution has played in the country. 72. Switzerland underscored the efforts of Morocco to harmonize its legislation with international norms. It referred to the joint programme with Morocco on human rights education and to the setting up of IER to fight against impunity and on that point encouraged Morocco to continue its efforts to provide justice to victims. It recommended that Morocco ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and continue training of law enforcement officials, based on the request for technical cooperation contained in paragraph 152 of the national report. 73. Lebanon referred to the seminar in Rabat on UPR. The interactive dialogue has helped to understand difficulties faced by Morocco in promoting human rights. It asked for further information on activities and programmes to enhance human rights awareness, particularly in rural areas. 74. Following the interactive dialogue, Morocco referred to amendments to its national legislation to comply with international human rights instruments with regard to the rights of the child. It indicated that a programme on persons with disabilities has been launched, and that a national strategy has been adopted and a national observatory set up on violence against women. Morocco also affirmed that the principle of equality is embodied in the Constitution and that jurisprudence has confirmed the primacy of international law. The CCHR is an independent body in accordance with the Paris Principles. Concerning freedom of the press, Morocco mentioned that no journalists were arrested in 2007 except for one, that the press code is under revision and that this process is open to all stakeholders. Through compensation, the State has also rehabilitated the victims and recognized the harm caused to them. A council for the Moroccan community living abroad has been established in 2007. Finally, Morocco thanked all delegations, noted all comments, questions and recommendations made and expressed its will to follow up on them. It affirmed that it will continue the path of strengthening the implementation of all human rights. The UPR is an opportunity for Morocco, which will continue to play an active role in the Human Rights Council. II. CONCLUSIONS AND/OR RECOMMENDATIONS 75. In the course of the discussion, the following recommendations were made to encourage Morocco: