A/HRC/20/26/Add.2 take measures to protect the Hassani language, as well as cultural expressions and dialects (parlers) thereof practiced in Morocco. It establishes a national council of languages and Moroccan culture, mandated to protect and develop the Arabic and Amazigh languages and the diverse Moroccan cultural expressions. The Independent Expert welcomes these important developments, which are in keeping with her recommendation that States should recognize and value the diversity of cultural heritages present in their territories and under their jurisdiction.4 Legislation enforcing these provisions has not yet been enacted and it remains to be seen how they will be applied in practice. More generally, as stressed below in the present report, legislation and policies contrary to this new constitutional provision will have to be repealed. 14. Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees the freedoms of thought, opinion and expression, the freedoms of creation, publication and exhibition in literary and artistic matters, and of scientific and technical research. Article 26 of the Constitution stipulates that “public authorities lend, by appropriate measures, their support for the development of cultural and artistic creation and of scientific and technical research, as well as for the promotion of sports. They favour the development and the organization of these sectors in an independent manner and on a democratic and specific professional basis.” 15. Article 12 of the Constitution stipulates that “civil society associations and nongovernmental organizations are constituted and exercise their activities in all freedom, in respect for the Constitution and the law.” Furthermore, “they may not be dissolved or suspended by the public powers, except by virtue of a decision of justice.” 16. With regard to the right to education, article 31 of the Constitution includes provisions on the equal access of all citizens to “quality education, education concerning the Moroccan identity and its permanent national traits, professional training and physical and artistic education.” Furthermore, article 1 of decree No. 04-2000 of 1 June 2000 envisages that all Moroccan children having reached the age of 6 years have the right to education and the duty to benefit from it. 17. In 2010, the Government elaborated a national plan of action on democracy and human rights for the period 2011-2016. A human rights-based approach is stipulated as a basis to address several economic, cultural and environment issues, including the promotion of national languages, particularly the Amazigh language and culture. A coordination mechanism, composed of representatives of the Government, national institutions, nongovernmental human rights organizations and academics, was established to monitor, follow up and evaluate the implementation of the plan. 18. The Ministry of Culture has implemented a number of significant initiatives to help preserve cultural heritage, improve access to cultural life and extend support for creative activities. Morocco does not, however, have a national plan on cultural development with dedicated financial resources allocated to the Ministry of Culture for implementation. In 2005, the Government reported to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that a comprehensive strategy was being elaborated to establish modern cultural facilities to address national needs relating to its heritage, art and literature, the protection of national cultural heritage and the expansion of the sphere of cultural production. 5 The Independent Expert is concerned at the absence of such a strategy and, more generally, of a comprehensive national plan on participation in cultural life, including issues relating to cultural heritage and linguistic diversity, gender issues and the needs of persons with disabilities in the cultural sphere. 4 5 A/HRC/17/38, para. 80 (a). E/1994/104/Add.29, para. 367. 5