Marrakech-Safi: Regional Meeting on Mechanisms Against Gender-Based Violence
In partnership with the Polytechnic College of Safi and in coordination with the Bar Association and the Regional Committee for Women Victims of Violence, the Regional Human Rights Commission of Marrakech-Safi Region (CRDH) organizes a Regional Meeting on Mechanisms against Gender-based Violence on Thursday 26 May 2022, at 3 pm, at the Polytechnic College of Safi, Morocco.
This event is part of the national campaign Manskotch Ala El Onf (Speak out against gender-based violence) launched by the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) from 25 November 2021 to 25 November 2022. It is also a contribution to the CNDH regional forums on gender-based violence at universities.
This regional meeting falls within the framework of the CNDH strategic program on promoting human rights culture mainly at universities. It is also part of the implementation of the CNDH constitutional mandate related to protecting and promoting human rights.
This event aims to facilitate understanding issues related to violence against women, raise awareness on the seriousness of this phenomenon, and encourage using remedies. It also intends to involve universities and civil and human rights actors in discussions on the issue of the effective implementation of legal and institutional provisions and remedies to combat gender-based violence, reduce impunity and break the culture of silence and non-reporting.
This meeting will be moderated by experts from the judiciary, the Bar Association, the Polytechnic College, and the CRDH.
Contact: 0524 42 05 87 /0666 86 41 84
CAMEROON: CNDH MAROC PARTICIPATES IN HOSTING A TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR CHDC MEMBERS AND STAFF ON OPERATIONALIZING THE NPM
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH), the Francophone Association of National Human Rights Commissions (AFCNDH), the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) and the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT) host from 24 to 26 May 2022 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, a specific training workshop on the operationalization of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (NPM), for the benefit of members and staff of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CDHC).
This workshop aims mainly to provide participants with the necessary operational tools to broaden their knowledge on instruments and mechanisms for the prevention of torture, as well as the best practices related to the exercise of their mandate as a National Human Rights Institution-NPM.
During three days, stakeholders will discuss and debate several issues related to torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, including the legal and institutional framework for the prevention of torture, roles, typology and mandate of an NPM, preventive and reactive visits’ techniques, vulnerabilities and detention. The program includes drafting reports, constructive dialogue, monitoring and assessing the process. It also involves interaction with civil society, international mechanisms and the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa (CPTA), organization and operation of NPM, and NPM roadmap review.
Dr. Mohammed Benajiba, CNDH representative and coordinator of the NPM/CNDH will shed light on the experience and actions of the Moroccan NPM, particularly its organization, preparation of visits, conducting reactive visits, drafting reports and interaction with international human rights mechanisms.
This workshop will schedule presentations, debates and group activities.
The United Nations Center for Human Rights and Democracy (CNUDHD-CA), the Ministry of Justice, National Human Rights Institutions in Togo and Mauritius, the World Organization Against Torture and the CPTA will take part in this event.
CNDH Chairperson leads a regional and international human rights delegation to advocate for safe migration in New York
As President of the African Working Group on Migration and Vice-President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), Mrs. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), participates in the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), held from 17 to 20 May 2022, under the auspices of the General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Mrs. Bouayach, heading a high-level human rights delegation from the CNDH, the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) and the GANHRI, leads African and international advocacy for safe migration and effective protection of migrants’ rights.
CNDH Chairperson says that this IMRF will allow all actors to assess the implementation of the Marrakech Agreement (Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration). She also declares that the IMRF will be an opportunity to shed light on the violations of migrants’ human rights, regardless of their situation.
In addition to conducting bilateral meetings with UN, governmental and non-governmental actors, Mrs. Bouayach will chair GANHRI’s activities at this forum, including one of the few meetings organized on the sidelines of this event, which will focus on the roles of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the implementation and assessment of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM).
At the invitation of the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mrs. Bouayach will participate in one of the four main meetings of the IMRF, whose conclusions and recommendations will be reflected in the final declaration. CNDH Chairperson will advocate for the effective right of migrants to access information (the third objective of the GCM) during all stages of migration, and the actions that States shall take to effectively implement this right.
As President of the Working Group on Migration of the NANHRI, CNDH Chairperson will submit a written contribution to the IMRF on migration and the outputs of the African Working Group actions.
Mrs. Maimouna Essayed, President of the Regional Human Rights Commission of Dakhla- Oued Eddahab (CRDH), Morocco, will represent the CNDH in the international meeting on the role of NHRIs in carrying out the agreement through the implementation of the human rights-based approach, gender approach and the protection of children's rights.
The First IMRF is organized to assess the implementation of the GCM and identify challenges and best practices at the local, national, regional and international levels.
This forum is expected to culminate in a declaration by Heads of States, Governments and senior officials looking forward to effective opportunities for the implementation of the "Marrakech Agreement" and the future of international cooperation in the field of migration.
GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS TO BAN THE POLITICAL USE OF RELIGION
Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), Mrs. Amina Bouayach, affirmed that the conflict between religions and human rights is an invented conflict. It is framed by extremist political ideologies, which are- and still-, commonly, governed by interpretations that neglect the essence of protecting human rights for religions and the right to practice their rituals.
In her opening statement at the International Conference on "International Standards to Ban the Political Use of Religions to Protect Human Rights from All Forms of Extremism", Mrs. Bouayach said that religions and human rights share the same foundation. They unbind the relationship between the private and universal. They also undo the connection between the individual and his surroundings in all its aspects. Furthermore, they share the belief in the universality of human dignity and its foundations in religions, philosophies and civilizations.
This event was held on 11 and 12 May 2022 in Rabat, Morocco.
CNDH chairperson also addressed the relationship between religions and human rights and the process of entrenching these rights. She shed light on the contribution of intellectuals and philosophers, with their different affiliations, cultures, and backgrounds. She also stressed their roles in developing the framework that enshrines the protection of diversity and freedom of thought, the right to practice religious rites, and freedom of belief, based on equality.
In this context, she highlighted the experience of the International Forum in Toumliline Monastery in the Middle Atlas, Morocco (1956-1968), which is considered a non-institutional model for dialogue between cultures and civilizations. It also represents a collective memory that has affirmed, since 70 years ago, that pluralistic debate is possible and real and that the common celebration of everyone’s beliefs and ideas requires, simply, listening capacities and refraining from polarity and fanaticism.
In addition, the UK-based NGO BPUR International launched the global initiative to enact the International Treaty to Ban the Use of Religions for Political Purposes.
For his side, Mr. Naguib Sawiris, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the BPUR, called for the need to further dialogue among religions and seek to achieve coexistence among them to end human rights violations in the name of religion. He also called on governments to adopt this global initiative and submit it to the United Nations to help the international community resolve conflicts and end various forms of human rights violations.
Stakeholders stressed, unanimously, the importance of this initiative that would have a significant role in the future, for which it wanted to be free of wars, conflicts and hatred, where prosperity and peace prevail and human rights are respected. Participants also underlined the serious problems resulting from misusing religion for political purposes such as wars and killings.
More than 100 leaders and supporters of this initiative, including parliamentarians, diplomats, former officials, and religious, civil and political figures, who express their respect for all religions and belong to more than 60 countries, took part in this global conference, which is supported by the CNDH.
CNDH REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS 2021: IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON VULNERABLE GROUPS AND WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RIGHTS
Mrs. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights (CNDH), presented, on Friday 13 May 2022, at the CNDH headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, the annual report on the state of human rights for the year 2021 under the title: "CNDH Human Rights Report 2021: Impacts of Covid-19 on Vulnerable Groups and Ways to Strengthen the Effectiveness of Rights".
Thus, the CNDH has regularly published, during this mandate, its third annual report on the situation of human rights in Morocco. It is a publication aiming to draw the attention of the Government and all relevant public authorities to violations that may affect rights and freedoms, and call them to address these issues following Morocco’s national and international obligations.
This report includes recommendations to the Government, Parliament, and Judicial Authorities intending to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights, particularly through laws, public policies and practices.
It is also a document that can be used by the Parliament in harmonizing national legislation with international standards and holding the government accountable for its policies related to protecting and promoting rights.
This report is comprehensive. It sheds light on 19 thematic rights enshrined in the kingdom’s Constitution and the international instruments ratified by Morocco. It also includes 250 general and objective recommendations, intending to enhance ways to strengthen the effectiveness and bridge the gap at the protection level of the national human rights system.
In her statement, Mrs. Bouayach stressed that the CNDH identified significant features of the human rights situation in Morocco based on a close reading of several facts affecting the performance of different components of the human rights protection system.
The CNDH concluded that the human rights situation in 2021 in Morocco faced several difficulties, mainly:
- The constant appearance of the pandemic long term effects on the economy, as the promotion of the economic and social rights of citizens is clearly affected by the pace and effectiveness of economic recovery;
- The acceleration of the frequency of the unconventional threats, particularly climate change, where issues related to the phenomenon of drought are obviously a real concern to the sustainability of essential resources for protecting economic and social rights. It also carries the potential of social tensions that may be challenging the civil and political rights;
- The beginning of early precursors of transformations in the human rights system threatens to reshape the major balances of the international system. Thus, it constitutes a source of new pressure that could cause confusion at the level of production chains and affect the ability of many countries to continue their development programs.
This report is composed of more than 300 pages. It includes seven main sections through which the Council sheds light on 1) Thematic and groups’ human rights situation related to 25 rights. 2) Harmonisation of legislation and strengthening capacities and media in the field of human rights. 3) Elections observation. 4) Cooperation relations at the national level with the government, parliament, courts, other national institutions and civil society. 5) Cooperation relations at the international level, especially with the United Nations system, the African Union, European institutions, international and regional networks of National Human Rights Institutions and international non-governmental organizations. 6) Following up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, especially in the areas of memory preservation, individual reparation and preserving the archive of the Moroccan experience in the field of transitional justice, and (7) Administrative and planning updates.
CNDH Regional Commission of Souss-Massa Region holds its Fourth Ordinary Meeting
The Regional Human Rights Commission of Souss-Massa Region (CRDH) holds its fourth ordinary meeting, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 76-15 relating to the reorganization of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and its rules of procedure, on Friday 22 April 2022, at 3 pm at the CRDH headquarters in Agadir, Morocco.
Mr. Mohamed Charef, CRDH President, will deliver an opening statement on this occasion. At this meeting, the CNDH strategic action will also be prosecuted in light of its last General Assembly outputs. This event will be an opportunity to present the CRDH’s actions since its third ordinary meeting and discuss its action program related to protecting human rights in the second half of 2022.
To be noted that the CNDH Regional Commission was installed on 18 September 2020. It is composed of: a Standing Committee on Protecting Human Rights, a Standing Committee on Promoting human rights, and a Standing Committee on Evaluating and Monitoring the effectiveness of rights in Regional Public Policies and Programs.
Drâa-Tafilalet Region: "International Human Rights System and the Role of the CNDH, its National Mechanisms and its Regional Commissions in the effectiveness of rights"
The Regional Human Rights Commission of Drâa-Tafilalet Region (CRDH) organizes four outreach workshops on the role of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), its National Mechanisms and its Regional Commissions in the effectiveness of rights.
These workshops, to be organized on 22, 29 April and 20, 27 May 2022, will benefit 140 staff from the Regional Center for Education and Training Profession in Errachidia, Morocco.
These outreach workshops will be conducted by members and staff of the CRDH. They are part of the CRDH program of action for the year 2022 and the implementation of the partnership agreement signed between two institutions.
These workshops aim to strengthen the capacities of participants in terms of the international human rights system, mainly, the provisions of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. Participants will have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the mandate and the roles of the CNDH, its National Mechanisms and its CRDHs. They will also interact on issues related to the promotion of the culture of human rights at schools through the implementation of citizenship and human rights education clubs.
Draa-Tafilalet: Outreach event on the role of the CNDH, its National Mechanisms and Regional Commissions in the effectiveness of rights
The Regional Human Rights Commission in the Draa-Tafilalet Region (CRDH) will organize an outreach event on the role of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), its National Mechanisms and Regional Commissions in the effectiveness of rights, on Thursday 21 April 2022, at 1 pm, at the Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Technologies in Errachidia, Morocco.
Staff of the Regional Directorate of Health and Social Protection and the Regional Directorate of the Environment will take part in this meeting.
This event is part of the implementation of the CRDH action program for the year 2022, particularly relating to promoting the culture of human rights.
It is also the implementation of the partnership agreement signed between the CRDH and each of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Regional Directorate of Environment.
This event targets 60 beneficiaries. It will be coordinated by CRDH members and staff. It aims to introduce the mandate and roles of the CNDH, its National Mechanisms and CRDHs. It also intends to reinforce their knowledge of the human rights approach and its implementation in several areas.
CNDH presents its thematic report: Effectiveness of the Right to Health in Morocco… Challenges and Ways to its Strengthening
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) will present its thematic report entitled: “Effectiveness of the Right to Health in Morocco... Challenges and Ways to its Strengthening”, on Friday 22 April 2022, at 11 am at the CNDH headquarters, Rabat, Morocco.
This report was approved at the Seventh CNDH General Assembly held in February 2022. It was elaborated based on the human rights approach in evaluating public policies.
The CNDH is convinced of the importance of the right to health as a right that affects and is affected by the ability of citizens to enjoy their other rights as part of the principle of the indivisibility of human rights.
The CNDH is also aware of the need to seize the historical opportunities provided by the Covid-19 pandemic to bring a qualitative transformation in the health approach as a public service that is included at the core of protecting national security and sovereignty.
This report presents the obstacles faced by citizens to access their right to health. It also proposes approaches to address them, not only based on legal texts that guarantee the right to health but also by searching for obstacles related to the implicit determinants of the right to health, particularly the economic, social, cultural and environmental ones.
Mrs. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, said, on the occasion of the launch of the project on 14 October 2020, that the effectiveness of the right to health, with its flaws related to its enjoyment and access, could only be guaranteed within the framework of a State that defends and guarantees this right.
This report is the result of national and regional meetings. It was based on a participatory approach. Various institutional actors, professionals, experts and researchers concerned with the right to health contributed to this report. This approach was also an opportunity to propose practical solutions consistent with regional and local specificities that would contribute to promoting the right to health for all citizens.
Based on this approach, the report provides essential foundations for building and engineering a national health strategy guaranteeing the right to health for all and facing social and spatial disparities that impede the enjoyment of this right through five main axes.
To be noted, the CNDH launched, on 14 October 2020, the project on the “Effectiveness of the right to health in Morocco: Towards a health system based on human rights”. This project aims to advocate for the development of an integrated, inclusive and coherent national health strategy to guarantee the right to health for all.
CNDH hosts the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights delegation
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) will host, from 11 to 15 April 2022, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) delegation, chaired by Mr. Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, ACHPR Chairperson.
Mrs. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, will launch the opening session of this visit.
This event is part of the advocacy conducted by the CNDH and the ACHPR for the ratification by Morocco of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It also aims to promote dialogue among institutional and civil actors to encourage engagement with the African human rights system and enhance interaction with it.
The delegation is composed of Mrs. Marie-Louise Abomo, Commissioner and Chair of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa, Mrs. Ourveenaa Geereesha Topsy Sonoo, Commissioner, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Mr. Idrissa Sow, Commissioner, Chair of the Working Group on the Death Penalty, Extra-Judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings and Enforced Disappearances in Africa, and Mrs. Hannah Forster, Executive Director of the African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS).
The program of this visit includes the organization of an interactive meeting on the "African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and Prospects for Strengthening Interaction with the African Human Rights System", on Monday 11 April 2022, at 3 pm, at the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences in Rabat-Agdal, Morocco.
This event also aims at contributing to Morocco’s advocacy to ratify the said Charter. The goal is also to broaden the knowledge of various stakeholders regarding the opportunities available under the African Charter and ways to interact between those stakeholders and the ACHPR.
Institutional, academic and civil actors will take part in this event.
As part of strengthening dialogue among the ACHPR, the Parliament and the national civil society, the ACHPR delegation will hold a meeting with Mr. Rachid Alami Talbi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Mr. Naam Miyara, Upper House Speaker.
Meetings will also be held between the ACHPR Commissioners and the Alliance of NGOs working in areas related to the death penalty, freedom of expression, the right to access information, elderly people and persons with disabilities.
Through its annual reports for the years 2019 and 2020 and its recommendations and proposals related to enhancing the effectiveness of rights submitted to the Head of Government, the CNDH called on the Moroccan government to ratify the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and to strengthen its commitment in the African human rights system.