A/HRC/7/69 page 41 Annex VII RABAT DECLARATION THE THIRD CONFERENCE ON THE “ROLE OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS IN PROMOTING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY IN THE ARAB REGION” 12-14 November 2007, Rabat, Morocco The Advisory Council for Human Rights in Morocco and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights organized the Third Conference on the Role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Promoting the Independence of the Judiciary in the Arab Region from 12 to 14 November 2007, in Rabat, Morocco. The Conference aimed at supporting national and regional initiatives to strengthen the role of NHRIs and other actors, in promoting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in accordance with international human rights norms. The Conference brought together representatives of existing NHRIs in the region, the judiciary, regional organizations including the League of Arab States, United Nations, and experts on the administration of justice, as well as non-governmental organizations. Preamble We representatives of NHRIs participating in the Conference, Recall the principles of universality, indivisibility and inalienability of human rights as well as principles of the Charter of the United Nations; Recall international human rights instruments, which guarantee the right to a fair hearing in all proceedings before a competent, independent and impartial court or tribunal, notably in article 10 of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights, article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and article 18 of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and members of their Families; Recall regional human rights instruments, principles and guidelines, which guarantee the right to a fair hearing before a competent, independent and impartial court or tribunal, notably in article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa, and the provisions of the Arab-Charter for human rights related to the independence of the judiciary; Take note that the protection of international and regional human right instruments to a fair hearing, and normative guidance provided by international and regional principles and guidelines, is also applicable to military courts and tribunals and during states of emergency;