Tunisia: Regional workshop on preventing violent extremism
Secretary General of the National Human Rights Council of Morocco (CNDH), Mr. Mohamed Essabbar, will participate, on 10 and 11 July 2017 in Tunisia, in a regional workshop on preventing violent extremism.
This event is organized by the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI) and the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South and West Asia and the Arab Region, in cooperation with the High authority for Human Rights & Fundamental Liberties in Tunisia And the Arab Institute for Human Rights (AIHR).
The purpose of this workshop is to highlight the various complexities related to the phenomenon of violent extremism. It also aims to review efforts, studies and recommendations on this phenomenon made by international human rights mechanisms.
The program of this event will focus on the following subjects:
- Review of the UN Secretary General’s Plan to prevent violent extremism
- Respect for human rights in the context of countering violent extremism
- Review of UN initiative on “faith for rights”
- Educational and cultural policy to counter violent extremism
- The study on the needs of national human rights institutions to play their role in the prevention of violent extremism.
Mr. Essabbar will present the experience of the CNDH as a national human rights institution on the protection and promotion of human rights. He will particularly focus on education, training, and a series of memorandums and advisory opinions on the relevant bills.
Marrakech: Training session for trainers on gender, climate and SDGs
In partnership with Women engage for a common Future (WECF), the National Agency for Energy Efficiency and the Development of Renewable Energy (ADEREE) and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the National Human Rights Council of Morocco (CNDH) will organize the second training session of trainers on gender, climate and sustainable development goals (SDGs). It will take place from 10 to 12 July 2017 at the Green platform of the ADEREE in Marrakech, Morocco.
This training session is a part of a capacity-building program (2017-2020) for civil society on gender, climate and SDGs, launched by the CNDH and WECF in January 2017 following the COP22.
Around twenty participants will take part in this session. This training session aims to enable the participants to master energy efficiency solutions (understand their technical functioning, manufacturing modalities and installation) and to understand how these technologies are/may be adapted to the rural population, especially women in associations, cooperatives and other structures.
In addition to the theoretical and technical part that aims to understand energy efficiency in all its aspects, this training session will schedule case studies, demonstration project and visits. It will be facilitated by a group of trainers from ADEREE and representative from WECF who will focus on gender analysis tools.
The first module of this program covered the theme “Gender, climate change and Agenda 2030, global vision and concepts” took place from 16 to 19 January 2017 at the CNDH’s training institute in Rabat, Morocco.
Participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life: 10th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD
The tenth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities (CRPD) will be held from 13 to 15 June 2017 in New York. On the sideline of this session, the Permanent Mission of Morocco to the United Nations in partnership with the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the Collective for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Morocco, organized a side event on “the participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life”.
The purpose of this side event is to recall that “the promotion of active political participation of persons with disabilities remains dependent on their political inclusion”. In this regard, elections are an essential step for the participation of all citizens in building democratic construction and contributing to the management of local affairs.
This event is an opportunity for the CNDH and NGOs to exchange their experiences on political empowerment of persons with disabilities.
The tenth session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD is organized under the theme “The Second Decade of the CRPD: Inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in the implementation of the Convention” and will highlight the following themes:
- Addressing the impact of multiple discrimination on persons with disabilities and promoting their participation and multi-stakeholder partnerships for achieving the SDGs in line with the CRPD;
- Inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action;
- Promoting inclusive urban development and implementation of the New Urban Agenda- Habitat III.
Speakers at this side event:
- Mr. Abdelmajid Makni, Member, CNDH of Morocco and Collective for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Morocco
- Ms. Jahda Abou khalil, Secretary, Arab Organization for Persons with Disabilities
- Mr. Khalid Ramli, Human rights Officer, CNDH, Morocco
Closing ceremony of a training program on human rights for civil society stakeholders from Laâyoune and Dakhla regions
Mr. Driss El Yazami, President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) will chair the closing ceremony of a training program on human rights for civil society stakeholders from the regions Laâyoune- Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla- Oued Ed-Dahab regions on May, 12th, 2017 at the CNDH’s National Human Rights Training Institute in Rabat (INFDH).
This training program was launched on March, 13th, 2017 by the CNDH in partnership with the International Republican Institute (IRI), with support of the U.S. State Department. The program included four training sessions (13-17 March, 3-7 April, 24-28 April, and 8-12 May 2017).
The program was an opportunity for participants to learn in depth about national and international human rights mechanisms and concepts, participatory governance, and the new role of civil society stakeholders in Morocco.
This training program targeted young activists working on women’s rights, the rights of the child, youth, and the rights of persons with disabilities.
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« Un si long chemin, Paroles de réfugiés au Maroc »: Income from book sales will be donated to Al Karam association
More than one year following the publication of Un si long chemin, Paroles de réfugiés au Maroc “One long way: refugees’ words in Morocco”. The partners of this project will meet on 11 May 2017 in order to donate income from sales to Al Karam association at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH).
It had been agreed that this income would be granted to an association working for refugee.
This book traces 30 refugees’ profiles in Morocco from 16 countries and aims to raise awareness among Moroccans on the situation of refugees, in order to fight against stereotypes, stigmatization and prejudice against these populations.
Today, Morocco hosts around 5000 refugees registered with the UNHCR who have escaped, mainly, internal conflicts or persecutions. The challenge is to “live together” in a country that has also become a country of destination.
Since its creation in 1997, the association Al Karam has been working for the protection of children in distressing situation and the promotion of their rights as enshrined in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child ratified by Morocco in 1993. Recently, the association opened a help center with a nursery and non-formal education classes for the children of migrants.
This ceremony will be attended by Mr. Driss El Yazami, CNDH President, Mr. Jean-Paul Cavaliéri, UNHCR representative in Morocco, Ms. Karima Mkika, President of Al Karam Association, Mr. Abdelkader Retnani, Editor of La Croisée des Chemins and Mr. Jalil Bennani, author of the book.
Global Compact on Migration: Special Event on the Role of African NHRIs
The National Human Rights Council of Morocco (CNDH) and the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) organize a special event on “the Role of African NHRIs in the process of negotiations leading to the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration” on Sunday, May, 7th, 2017 in Niamey, Niger.
The event aims to help deepen reflection, at the African level, on the process of negotiations leading to the Global Compact on Migration. It will bring together several African national human rights institutions (NHRIs), civil society actors, representatives of the African Union and experts on migration issues.
The event is also an opportunity: to inform on the processes of the Global compact and the related issues and challenges, to sensitize African NHRIs about the importance of cooperation to achieve a common African migration policy, and to adopt a common African position integrating the recommendations of the African NHRIs on migrants and refugees’ human rights.
The discussions will mainly focus on the African Union Migration Policy and Civil society organizations’ actions to defend migrants’ rights. NHRIs will share their best practices on migration issues and rights and exchange on the opportunities to effectively engage in the Global Compact for Migration processes.
Mr. Mohamed Charef, CNDH board members, Mr. Gilbert Sebihogo, NANHRI Executive Director, and Amb. Salah S. Hammad, Senior Human Rights Expert (Department of Political Affairs of AUC), will open the floor, at the opening ceremony of the event.
Global Compact and role of NHRIs
The challenges and issues of migration, refugees and forced displacement worldwide have become an urgent matter for the international community and a reality for all. Amidst this humanitarian crisis, Resolution A/RES/71/1, adopted on 19 September 2016 at a summit held by the UN in New York, was of great importance for the negotiations, which should lead to the adoption of the Global Compact on Migration by 2018. The Resolution unanimously recognized the need for a comprehensive approach to issues related to human mobility.
Following the summit, it was decided to initiate a process for the adoption of two separate international compacts: one on migration and the other on refugees. Member States also agreed that the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration should be developed following an inclusive approach based on consultations and negotiations involving States, national human rights institutions (NHRIs), civil society, communities and migrants themselves.
First and foremost, NHRIs can play a key role in the Global Compact developing process, taking into account their mandate to promote and protect human rights for all, including migrants, refugees, and displaced persons. Secondly, NHRIs, which can play a “mediating role” between national and international stakeholders, can bring together the various national actors, help raise their awareness on the issue and involve them in the drafting process of the Global Compact. Finally, the essential role of NHRIs in the UN human rights system is also reflected in Resolution 70/163 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, as it called on all UN mechanisms and processes to strengthen the participation of NHRIs in their work.
The CNDH was appointed as the African focal point of the Global Alliances of NHRIs (GANHRI) in the Global Compact process, in accordance with GANHRI approach that aims to support NHRIs’ participation and contributions to all stages of this consultation process.
In September 2013, the CNDH published a report on “Foreigners and Human Rights in Morocco - For a radically new asylum and migration policy”. The report called for “a genuine public policy that protects human rights, based on international cooperation and integrating civil society.” The Moroccan government has interacted positively with the recommendations of the Council and initiated a new migration policy based on both a global and humanist approaches. This policy has considered the essence of the international law and multilateral cooperation and has started with the important steps: launching a campaign to document migrants, appointing a national appeal committee, and launching a process to reform legislations governing migration, asylum, and trafficking in persons.
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Ms Ghizlane kabbaj (+212 (0)6 61 98 74 61)
Ethnological film entitled “look at the other” Regarder l’autre
Ethnological film entitled “look at the other” Regarder l’autre
A second screening of the ethnological film entitled “look at the other” Regarder l’autre will take place on the 25th and the 26th of April 2017, organized by the Jacques- Berques Center, Mohammed V University of Rabat and the Center for Saharan Studies at the faculty of letters and human sciences in Rabat.
At this screening, students and researchers will be introduced to the significance of the ethnological film from an anthropological perspective. The purpose of this event is to bring the public closer to the techniques and methodologies adopted in the realization of ethnological films.
Mr. Henri Herré, French movie Director will conduct an introductory lecture to launch the event, which includes the screening of four documentaries:
- “Landless Moroccans” Marocains sans terres, by Soraya El Kahlaoui,
-“34 meters above sea level” 34 mètres d’altitude, by Kenza Afsahi,
-“Paths of Baraka” les chemins de la Baraka, by Manoël Pénicaud and Khamis Mesbah,
- and “On the paths of the phosphates” Sur les chemins des phosphates, by Malika El Manoug and Mohammed Nadrani.
The Center for Saharan Studies was created in February 2013 in partnership with Mohammed V University of Rabat, the CNDH, the Agency for the Promotion and Economic/Social Development of the Southern Provinces (of the Kingdom of Morocco), and the Moroccan national phosphates corporate. The center’s focus is to encourage scientific research on Saharan related issues in order to contribute to preserving its history, and conducting applied research while laying a foundation for a scientific and serene debate.
The center aims to conduct multidisciplinary research in the historical, social and cultural fields in the southern provinces of Morocco, and wishes to encourage development research in partnership with local and international stakeholders
Pre-Trial Detention Day In Africa: CNDH Organizes A Series Of Awarness- Rasing Activities
Organized by the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and its regional commissions, in cooperation with various partners, the commemoration of the Pre-trial Detention Day in Africa will be taking place on April 25th, 2017. The commemoration will include several activities, with the view to putting focus on pre-trial detention challenges in the Moroccan judicial system.
Conferences, round tables, visits to prisons and media programs in the field will contribute to the public debates on pre-trial detention, which is one of the main causes of prison overcrowding. According to the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration, 40% of detainees are in pre-trial detention. Thus, more efforts should be exerted by various stakeholders to fight this phenomenon.
This event is an opportunity, for all concerned stakeholders, to discuss the main constraints causing this excessive use of this measure described as “exceptional” by the legislator. It mainly affects prisoners awaiting trial and the rights of the entire prison population in general.
Participants will also address alternative measures that may mitigate the excessive use of pre-trial detention. This would strengthen the principle of presumption of innocence and guarantees for a fair trial.
Besides, other anti-torture organizations, including the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), claims that millions of people are unnecessarily held in pre-trial detention worldwide resulting in human rights violations and creating an enormous pressure on an overburdened criminal justice system. The average rate of persons held in preventive detention is 34,7% in the African continent. Reducing the use of pre-trial detention is an urgent matter, because it costs much for States, society and individuals and it results in overcrowding prisons and violations of fundamental right.
The Pre-trial Detention Day in Africa was adopted by the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) in the Yaoundé Declaration of October 23rd, 2015 following its tenth biannual conference on “Prohibition and Prevention of Torture: Successes, Challenges, Opportunities and Role of NHRIs”.
The Yaoundé Declaration recommends, “To contribute to a reduction in the over use of pre-trial detention, including by promoting legal and policy reforms on: alternatives to incarceration, para-legal based interventions, duty solicitors at police station, and pre-trial evaluation.”
The CNDH reported in 2012 that “Excessive use of pre-trial detention is the primary cause of prison overcrowding”. It recommended as well to “Speed up the processes for dealing with prisoners placed in pre-trial detention, in relation to both investigative and trial procedures”, and to “schedule the building of new prisons especially for persons held in pre-trial detention and for those sentenced to short term penalties in districts of each court of first instance.”
WOMEN’S VOICES: Rabat hosts a meeting of African women writers
Eight African women writers will gather on Thursday 20 April 2017 at Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMVI) to share their own experiences and shed light on African women’s literature. The event is initiated by the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), and International University of Rabat (UIR), and the MMVI.
“This is a genuine opportunity to (re)discover African women’s creations and writings,” says the organizers, as the star of African women writers continue to shine in the 21st century African literature, expressing the aspirations of both African women and African people alike.
Scholastique Mukasonga (Rwanda), Khadi Hane (Senegal), Leila Abouzeid (Morocco), Rabâa Abdelkefi (Tunisia), Nora Amin (Egypt), Sefi Atta (Nigeria), Latifa Baqa (Morocco) and Siham Bouhlal (France, Morocco) will be the special guests of the event.
The discussions will be led by famous Moroccan writers Kebir Mustapha Ammi and Hassan Nejmi.
The event is held within the framework of Afrique en Capital (Africa in the capital), a one month campaign to celebrate African modern art and culture. The campaign is coordinated by the foundation of Morocco’s museums (FNM).