DECLARATION OF RABAT: FOR AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) organized on December 3rd, 2021 the International Seminar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Rights in Rabat, Morocco.
Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, and Mr. Mounir Bensalah, CNDH Secretary General took part in this event.
Participants addressed several axes such as: "Digital development in Morocco and the Digital Development Agency contribution to the emergence of an AI ecosystem", “Cultural pluralism as an essential part of ethical assessment of AI”, “Technology, Environment and Ethics”, “The evolution of AI and its impact on women", "In Search of Accountability: A Human Rights critique of Guilelines for Ethical AI ", Etc.
Within this context, National and international experts adopted the Declaration of Rabat on “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Citizenship- For an Artificial Intelligence respecting Human Rights”.
Stakeholders also declared the constitution of a scientific committee to advise in the implementation of the recommendations mentioned in the Declaration of Rabat.
Press release on allegations of degrading treatment
Commissioned by the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), a delegation of the Regional Human Rights Commission in Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Region (CRDH), composed of its presidents and two of its members, conducted a visit to the local prison of Es-Smara, Morocco, on 29 November 2021, to investigate into allegations of cruel and degrading treatment of the prisoner Mr. Yahdih ElSabi.
This visit came after the CNDH has received such allegations.
At the hearing, Mr. Yahdih ElSabi explained to the CRDH that the prison conditions are in conformity with the specified rules, but he insisted on his request to change his medical glasses rapidly, and to see a specialist doctor to adjust an artificial hearing aid. He also requested additional time for phone calls and family visits.
The prison administration briefed the CRDH team on the inmate’s health conditions. It also confirmed that the administration responded to all his requests for medicines after medical consultation inside the prison. Regarding the prisoner's request for referral to a specialist doctor, the prison administration stated that the request is being implemented.
Regarding the extension of family visits, the prison administration also stated that those visits are conducted while respecting the precautionary measures related to COVID 19, and there is no discrimination between the inmates regarding access to visits or phone calls.
The CNDH gave an individual hearing to the detainee without the presence of any prison staff or guard. In this regard, the CNDH recommends that an appointment with a specialist doctor be scheduled as soon as possible.
CNDH MAJOR CONCERNS REGARDING COMBATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
Within the framework of the United Nations campaign against gender-based violence, which runs from 25 November to 10 December 2021, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) launches a national campaign Manskotch Ala El Onf (Speak out against gender-based violence) from 25 November 2021 to 25 November 2022, aiming at encouraging victims of gender-based violence to report such crimes and at fighting impunity.
This campaign is an occasion to express the CNDH major concerns regarding violence against women and girls, and the consequent violations of their rights to physical and psychological integrity and non-discrimination, in addition to the multiple obstacles to reporting and to establishing effective remedy and effective access to justice for the victims of gender-based violence, etc.
Training session on the Right to Sexual and Reproductive Health for Women and Girls
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Embassy of Canada in Morocco, is organizing a training session on the right to sexual and reproductive health for women and girls on 25, 26 and 27 November 2021 in Rabat, Morocco.
This training session is part of the CNDH’s will to enhance the capacities of its members, staff and CNDH’s Regional Commissions (CRDHs). It will be an opportunity to discuss issues related to following up on and monitoring violence related to the rights of sexual and reproductive health of women and girls. Stakeholders will also address issues related to the protection of the right of sexual and reproductive health of women and girls and the promotion of their culture by adopting the gender rights-based approach.
This event aims to enhance participants’ knowledge of the basic concepts of sexual and reproductive health rights. It also intends to empower them with the national and international normative framework related to this right. Furthermore, this training session will be an opportunity to analyze sexual and reproductive health issues from a rights perspective and a gender-based approach. This training also seeks to equip participants with tools to monitor sexual and reproductive health and enhance their knowledge of public policies, plans, measures taken and national indicators related to sexual and reproductive health.
The program of this training will focus on several axes, including conceptual framework of sexual and reproductive rights in relation to human rights, national and international normative frameworks for the protection of sexual and reproductive rights and new areas of action, State of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Morocco, Monitoring Sexual, Reproductive and Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices, National Indicators of Sexual and Reproductive Health, Role of CRDHs in Supporting Local Actors, etc.
Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, and Mr. Louis Mora, Resident Representative of the UNFPA in Morocco, will take part in the opening session of this training.
Moroccan and international experts will also participate in this event.
Training session on the participation of young people in the UPR
The global theme for this year's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which will run from 25 November to 10 December 2021, is "Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now!".
Within this context, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) is organizing, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UPR Info and the financial support of the Embassy of Canada in Morocco, a training session on the participation of young people at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), on 24 and 25 November 2021 at the Rabat-Driss Benzekri Institute for Human Rights, Morocco.
Morocco's next UPR is scheduled for November 2022. Within this context, this training session is organized to bring together young people from different regions of the Kingdom to strengthen their knowledge of this process and involve them in elaborating recommendations related to women's rights.
This event is also organized to ensure a participatory approach to young people from Morocco in drafting the CNDH parallel UPR report.
Morocco’s UPR reviews took place in 2008, 2012 and 2017. The last review in September 2017 contains 244 recommendations, including ones relating to women's rights and equality.
The UPR is a unique process for reviewing the human rights records of all 193 UN States members. It is based on information provided by the State in question, information received from United Nations organs and entities, information from third parties such as National Human Rights Institutions and non-governmental organizations.
Dubai Expo 2020: Seminar on Women's Rights in Morocco, Historic Perspectives and Future Horizons
The Moroccan pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai, in cooperation with the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), will organize a seminar on Women's Rights in Morocco: Historical Perspectives and Future Horizons, on Thursday 18 November 2021, in Women's Space.
This Seminar aims at discussing ways to encourage the effective and complete implementation of the principle of equality and parity. It also intends to strengthen the political representation of women.
It will be an opportunity to address the adoption of approaches aiming to support the transversal integration of the gender-based approach in public policies, particularly in a constantly developing national, regional and international context.
Representatives of Moroccan NGOs defending women's rights in Morocco will participate in this event to address the progress and challenges of this issue. They will discuss ways to support various projects and initiatives aiming to promote women's rights.
Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, will inaugurate this event.
Ms. Meriem Othmani, President of the National Institute for Solidarity with Women in a Distress (INSAF), and Ms. Oumaima Achour, President of the Jussour Forum for Moroccan Women, will take part in this seminar.
Ms. Maimouna Essayed, President of the CNDH Regional Commission in Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Region, Morocco, will moderate this event.
This seminar will be broadcasted live on the social media pages of the Moroccan pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 and the CNDH, on Thursday 18 November 2021, starting from 6 pm (Dubai time GMT+4).
CNDH REITERATES ITS RECOMMENDATION ON THE RATIFICATION OF THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLE’S RIGHTS
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) took part, on 8-9 November 2021, in the Fifth African Union Commission and Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) Policy Dialogue on “the role of African National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in promoting arts, culture and heritage as catalysts for socio-economic development”.
Besides, the CNDH participated in the Forum of African NHRIs, held on 11 and 12 November 2021, on the sidelines of the 69th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR).
African Union human rights bodies, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, African NHRIs and NGOs also took part in these two online events.
This session of the Forum of African NHRIs celebrated the 40th anniversary of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
On this occasion, the CNDH welcomed its relationship with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. It also reiterated its recommendations elaborated in its two annual reports: 2019 and 2020 and its recommendations and proposals related to the consolidation of the effectiveness of rights which were addressed to the Head of Government, encouraging the Moroccan State to ratify the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
MS. BOUAYACH HIGHLIGHTS GOOD PRACTICES ADOPTED BY THE CNDH DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) took part, on Thursday 4 November 2021, in the online Dialogue among Ms. Michelle Bachelet, UN Human Rights High Commissioner, and African National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) on COVID-19, challenges and opportunities.
This dialogue was an opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities encountered by NHRIs in the implementation of their mandate in the context of the pandemic. It was also an occasion to shed light on best practices, actions and innovative methods adopted in this context.
In her statement, Ms. Bouayach underlined that this pandemic led the CNDH to renew its tools and ways of action, but also prompted it to reflect on and implement new mechanisms to protect and promote human rights.
One of the first questions addressed by the CNDH at the beginning of the pandemic was to reorganize its work to ensure public accessibility and its continuity as a redress institution to protect human rights, she added.
Thus, to ensure better interaction with citizens and stakeholders, the CNDH digitized its working tools. This made it possible to ensure continued relations with rights holders, handling complaints, and organizing consultations and exchange with members, including at the local level.
Despite the pandemic crisis, the CNDH was able to conduct consultations with civil society and defenders, particularly those working with vulnerable populations, including children, persons with disabilities, migrants and persons deprived from liberty, etc.
Ms. Bouayach indicated that the CNDH published its annual report which represents an assessment of the implementation of 22 fundamental rights and 06 group rights in the context of the pandemic.
She also seized the opportunity of this dialogue to highlight the importance of international solidarity, which has paved the way for NHRIs to exchange good practices and experiences.
For her part, Ms. Bachelet commended the innovation and capacities of the NHRIs to adapt their working methods while implementing their mandates even with the challenging context of the COVID-19. She however raised concerns about reports received of institutional attacks and threats towards NHRIs, and the online and offline threats and attacks on staff of NHRIs for merely undertaking their work.
The High Commissioner stated that OHCHR is committed to providing capacity building, in monitoring, reporting, data collection, and maximising the use of data in NHRI work etc. She encouraged the NHRIs especially those fully compliant with the Paris Principles, to continue to engage with the UN and regional human rights systems and use the Human Rights-based approach to respond and guide the post COVID-19 recovery plans, and advise government of same.
This dialogue was organized on the sidelines of the 13th Biennial Conference of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) which was held from 3 to 5 November 2021. It focused on the impact of COVID-19 on human rights in Africa, the role of NHRIs in proposing a human rights-based approach for a better sustainable recovery towards development beyond COVID-19.
Regional Seminar on the Effectiveness of the Right to Health in the Draa-Tafilalet Region
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) Regional Commission in Draa-Tafilalet, in coordination with the Regional Directorate of Health and Social Protection in this region, will organize a regional seminar on the effectiveness of the right to health in this region, on Thursday 11 November 2021, in Errachidia, Morocco.
This event is part of the CNDH strategy based on the effectiveness of human rights in various public policies, including health.
Health professionals, elected representatives, unions representatives, civil society actors and media professionals in the region will participate in this seminar.
The seminar aims, mainly, to initiate a debate on the effectiveness of the right to health in this region and address obstacles that prevent accessing this right.
It will be an opportunity to advocate for developing an integrated regional health strategy guaranteeing the right to health for all and aiming to reduce social and territorial disparities that impede the enjoyment of this right by all.
This seminar also seeks to introduce proposals and recommendations to find solutions to issues and imbalances in the health system and discuss ways to enhance the quality of the health supply in this region.
CNDH elected member of GANHRI Bureau and other NANHRI bodies
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) was elected to the office of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) representing the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) on Tuesday 2 November 2021, at the NANHRI General Assembly.
In the same context, the CNDH was re-elected member of the Sub-Committee of Accreditation (SCA) of GANHRI as representative of the NANHRI. It was also reelected member of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights (GTBHR) alongside NHRIs of Malawi and Cameroon.
Furthermore, the CNDH was re-elected President of the Working Group on Migration and elected as Steering Committee member representing the northern sub-region beside National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) of Ghana, Rwanda, Malawi, Zimbabwe, DRC, Togo, Kenya and Egypt.
Following the proposals of Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, the General Assembly established a Working Group on the Right of the Child. The CNDH was elected as a member of this WG.
Besides the election of NANHRI’s bodies, the General Assembly discussed the strategic planning of NANHRI for the period 2022-2025 and addressed the Working Group on Migration achievement for 2020.
This event was also distinguished by the election of the NHRI of Zimbabwe as President of NANHRI.
On the sidelines of the NANHRI General Assembly, Ms. Bouayach took part in an online interactive dialogue with Ms. Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, on good practices conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This interactive dialogue was organized on 4 November 2021 with the participation of five other African NHRIs.
In addition, the CNDH participated in the NHRIs Symposium on the Role of NHRIs in Bridging the Accountability Gap in the Climate Emergency. This event was held on 5 November 2021, on the sidelines of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). At this symposium, Ms. Amina Bouayach welcomed the UN Resolution recognizing for the first time the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right. She stated that the draft resolution, proposed by five countries, including Morocco, consolidates the efforts made by several actors, including NHRIs.