Geneva: CNDH takes part in the 32nd Annual Meeting of the GANHRI

The National Human Rights Council is taking part in the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) which will be held from 4 to 6 March at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. A delegation of the CNDH led by its Chairperson Ms. Amina Bouayach will participate in the proceedings of this meeting.

The Annual Meeting of the GANHRI will schedule three key moments: GANHRI Bureau meeting and meetings of regional groups of national human rights institutions (NHRIs), Knowledge Exchange between NHRIs, and the Annual Conference.

This year, the GANHRI will hold its annual conference on 6 March 2019 on “Ensuring human rights-based and gender-responsive Implementation, follow-up and review of the Global Compact for Migration: The role of National Human rights Institutions”.

Throughout the development of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Marrakech, the GANHRI set up a small working group on the GCM to coordinate the participation and contribution of NHRIs, individually and collectively, through their regional networks and the GANHRI. This conference will therefore be an opportunity for NHRIs to define strategies and specific actions to contribute to the implementation, monitoring and review of the GCM in line with gender-responsive and human rights based approach.

As part of the “Knowledge Exchange” initiative, to be held on 5 March 2019, GANHRI members will also share experiences and practices of NHRIs and expand their knowledge on treating “women’s and girl’s human rights by applying NHRIs mandate and functions under the Paris Principles”. In this regard, the CNDH Chairperson will participate in the panel on promoting strategies where she will shed light on opportunities and challenges of women’s rights in Morocco.

In another context, the CNDH will also take part in the General Assembly of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) on 4 March 2019. In the name of the CNDH, Ms. Bouayach will also participate in the meeting on “Fair peace in the Middle East region” which will be organized by the Arab Network of NHRIs on 5 March 2019.

Moreover, Ms. Bouayach will chair the meeting of the Working Group on Migration of the NANHRI which will be held on 5 March 2019 at the Palais des Nations. Previously, a day before the international conference on the adoption of the GCM, Ms. Bouayach was elected head of this working group on 9 December 2018 in Marrakech.

During her stay in Geneva, Ms. Bouayach will hold meetings with several personalities including Ms. Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human rights.

Furthermore, the CNDH will participate in the debate on “The empowerment of children with disabilities” as part of the 40th session of the Human Rights Council held from 25 February to 22 March 2019 in Geneva.

The GANHRI (former International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs (ICC)) is the association of NHRIs that brings together almost 120 NHRIs around the world. Created in 1993, the GANHRI supports and strengthens capacities of NHRIs and accredits them in accordance with Paris Principles.

Since 2002, the Council has received an “A” status by the ICC as an institution in compliance with Paris Principles governing NHRIs. The CNDH also chaired the ICC in 2003 and 2004 and was reaccredited an “A” status in 2007, in 2011 and 2016.