TRAINING SESSION FOR THE BENEFIT OF MAURITANIAN NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION STAFF

Mr. Mounir Bensalah, Secretary General of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) of Morocco and the Secretary General of the Mauritanian National Human Rights Commission, launched a training session for the benefit of the staff of the Mauritanian NHRI on Monday 1 November 2021, at the CNDH headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.

This training session was part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the CNDH and Mauritanian National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) on 12 January 2021. It took place from 1 to 5 November 2021.

In his opening statement, Mr. Bensalah underlined that this training session aims at strengthening capacities and sharing experiences related to the protection and promotion of human rights.

He also highlighted the importance of exchanging information on both institutions’ good practices, developing ways of work, enhancing bilateral dialogue and participation in regional and international activities.

The CNDH Secretary General reiterated the wiliness and readiness of the CNDH to cooperate with the Mauritanian NHRI for the interests of both countries’ human rights issues.

The program of this training session included a visit to the CNDH departments to share their working tools and exchange experiences and best practices in the field of human rights protection.

Mauritanian staff met with directors and staff of CNDH departments, particularly Monitoring and Protection, Cooperation and International Relations, Communication and Organization and Computing.

The staff of the National Human Rights Commission in Mauritania also visited the CNDH Regional Commission in the Fes-Meknes Region to learn about the regional CNDH mechanisms.  Within this context, the program of this visit focused on the protection of human rights at the regional level, particularly on ways of receiving and handling complaints at the regional level and Coordination methods between the CNDH and CRDHs.

This training session was the applied part that fulfilled the theoretical training sessions that were organized online on 5 and 6 July 2021.

Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, and Mr. Ahmed Salem Ould Bouhbeni, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania launched these training sessions.

On the eve of COP26: Moroccan youth gathers to share vision and recommendations to tackle climate change

Morocco’s National Human Rights Institution holds a meeting with Moroccan youth committed against climate change, on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at its Rabat Institute - Driss Benzekri for Human Rights. The meeting will focus on Moroccan youth climate action, contributions, and recent developments in the fight against climate change, in Morocco and the world. 

Held on the eve of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP 26), due in November, in Scotland, the meeting aims to gather views and recommendations of young people regarding climate action, monitoring and following up of national and territorial public policies and the assessment of the sustainable development goals, particularly with regard to the youth action. 

Participants will also exchange on the ways forward to enhance youth climate action and initiatives in addition to capacity building for youth networks and associations. 

Ms Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, Ms Charafat Afilal, former Minister Delegate in Charge of Water, Mr. Simon Martin, British Ambassador to Morocco, and Mr. David R. Boyd, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, will open the meeting.   

The UN Human Rights Council recognized, earlier this month, for the first time, that having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right. In Resolution 48/13, the HRC called on States around the world to work together, and with other partners, to implement this newly recognized right. The resolution consolidated the efforts of the different stakeholders, particularly youth and national human rights institutions. It thus reaffirms the essential role of younger generations in facing the related challenges, especially with regard to changing mentalities and future-oriented concepts.

Morocco's NHRI addresses Head of Government over mandatory vaccine pass

The National Human Rights  Council, Morocco's NHRI, addressed a letter, on Oct. 25, to the Head of the Government over the use of mandatory vaccine pass, introduced on Oct. 18. The  mandate entered into application on Oct. 21, as a new precautionary measure against COVID-19.

Morocco's National Human Rights Institution noted several challenges and issues related to the implementation of this mandate, mainly:

• The massive influx of citizens seeking the jab at vaccination centers, in all Regions, since Oct. 21;
• Cases of vulnerable groups, especially the elderly and women as well as persons in rural areas, facing difficulties downloading the pass;
• Protests and complaints (addressed to the institution) of citizens with no proof of vaccination deprived from multiple services (including means of transport and access to shops and administrations, etc.);
• Access to some rights was restricted, with no other alternatives to the vaccine pass;
• Public administrations and private businesses handled the situation differently vis-à-vis employees and staff who have not been inoculated yet;
• Overcrowding in public transport, including buses and tramways, etc. due to the measures taken to implement the pass mandate.

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) has therefore issued a set of recommendations to the government, including the following:

• Strengthen communication and advice to unvaccinated people to achieve community immunity against COVID-19;
• Ensure that citizens have access to public places, particularly of public interest. Such access cannot be restricted without a decision nor without taking the necessary transitional measures and definitely without prejudice to the rights of individuals and groups to benefit from public services;
• Replace the vaccine pass with a health pass, which is proof that a person has either:

• been vaccinated against COVID-19;
• received a negative test result;
• recovered from COVID-19; or
• received a medical certificate duely proving that s/she cannot be inoculated.

• Give a reasonable time to citizens to adapt to the measures (whether by taking the first and second jabs or getting their medical certificates, etc.) as well as to public authorities to provide the necessary relevant technical tools (proof for the first jab, the health pass, etc.); and
• Examine the possibilities of easing further restrictions applied based on the adoption of the health pass.

The CNDH encouraged citizen to positively engage in the national vaccination campaign. It will launch debate initiatives and opportunities to exchange on the vaccine pass and means of replacing it with a health pass as a step to overcome the current constraints.

In its letter to the Head of the Government, the CNDH also recalled the recommendations of its 2020 annual report, particularly those related to presenting the extension of the State of Health Emergency to Parliament and ending its implementation when the condition of necessity no longer applies.

CNDH REGIONAL COMMISSION OF THE DRAA-TAFILALET REGION HOLDS ITS THIRD REGULAR MEETING

The Regional Human Rights Commission of the Draa-Tafilalet Region (CRDH) held its third regular meeting on Sunday 17 October 2021, in Errachidia, Morocco, as part of the implementation of the requirements of Law 15-76 related to the reorganization of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and following Article 6 of its Rules of Procedures.

In her opening statement, Mrs. Fatima Aarach, CRDH President, welcomed the engagement of CRDH members in implementing the CRDH missions through the three Standing Regional Committees.

Within the same context, Mrs. Aarach highlighted that the CRDH continued to conduct its missions related to protecting and promoting human rights despite the exceptional circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CRDH completed around 86% of its 2021 annual action program.

Mrs. Aarach emphasized that cooperation with various actors and institutional partners culminated in signing four partnership and cooperation agreements between the CRDH and the Regional Academy for Training and Education in the Draa-Tafilalet Region, the Regional Center for Education and Training in the region, as well as Culture and the environment departments.

She also indicated that the CRDH will sign two partnership agreements next November with the Regional Directorate of Health and Moulay Ismail University.

Contributing to this meeting, Mr. Abderrafie Hamdi, Director of the Protection and Monitoring CNDH Department addressed the fields of protection and monitoring following the CNDH strategy.

This meeting was also an opportunity to address the outcome of the three Standing Regional Committees and their 2022 annual action plans.

SIXTH REGULAR SESSION OF THE CNDH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Mrs. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), welcomed the CNDH achievement as part of the implementation of its strategy based on the effectiveness of rights.

She also acknowledged the CNDH’s constant actions under the difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the collective mobilization of its members and staff facing this unprecedented challenge.

Her statement was made at the occasion of the Sixth Regular Session of the CNDH General Assembly which was held on Friday 15 October 2021, at the CNDH headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.

Mrs. Bouayach stressed that this session is a milestone in the CNDH actions process. It is founding a new stage in light of the continuity of the CNDH mandate midterm, while its mandate opening witnessed the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced it to work remotely.

She also added that the CNDH will continue conducting its actions based on a renewed strategy, lessons learned and the same approach founded on the effectiveness of rights.

CNDH strategy objectives
Protection will remain top priority as a direct action to support human rights victims and their urgent issues

Mrs. Bouayach indicated that the CNDH strategy is based on the effectiveness of rights. It aims at achieving two goals. The first is to continue working on the implicit determinants of the effectiveness of rights beyond legal factors and focusing on illegal aspects, including economic, social, cultural and environmental. The second is the need to adopt a multi-sectoral approach that remains the most appropriate to develop approaches based on the effectiveness of rights and finding convergence to overcome obstacles preventing the effectiveness of rights.

In the same context, the CNDH Chairperson stressed that protection will remain a top priority as a direct action to support human rights victims and their urgent issues.

She also added that the CNDH will continue working on emerging issues such as human rights, business, climate change or issues imposed by modern technology, which has become an incubator for the exercise of basic freedoms, including freedom of expression, assembly, demonstration, as well as issues related, such as incitement to violence and hatred. The CNDH will also continue conducting its actions related to artificial intelligence, fake news, digital violence, the right to privacy, cybersecurity, and access to information.

CNDH recommendations and proposals to the Government to consolidate Morocco’s achievement in promoting and protecting human rights
Three elections were held last September and October and the new government presented its program respecting individuals and collective rights and freedoms.

Within this national context, this General Assembly was organized to adopt the CNDH recommendations and proposals which will be submitted to the government, stated Mrs. Bouayach. These recommendations will consolidate the achievement of Morocco in protecting and promoting human rights. Besides, they will meet challenges facing the enjoyment of the effectiveness of rights. CNDH President also said that this memorandum is based on constitutional requirements, international human rights instruments ratified by Morocco and the CNDH recommendations submitted to the government.

Mrs. Bouayach stressed that the CNDH will implement its Memorandum of Understanding with the Parliament to influence the inclusion of the human rights approach in bills and laws’ proposals. It will also continue supporting NGOs and human rights defenders, enhancing their participation, establishing partnerships and strengthening their capacities including women and young people.

Concluding her statement, CNDH Chairperson shed light on the importance of upgrading efforts to implement the strategic orientations for the next stage of the CNDH mandate through elaborating action programs and including the strategy axes into the CNDH Regional Commissions (CRDH) and Standing Committees.

Moreover, Mrs. Bouayach called CNDH members to effectively succeed in the next stage of the CNDH mandate through a plan interpreting members’ commitment to human rights issues.

CNDH at the international level
- Participation in two online events on “Promoting and protecting human rights in the context of peaceful protests” and “Human rights education” as part of the 48th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC);
- CNDH was selected with seven National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) across the world as an institution conducting Universal Periodic Review (UPR) renewed and emerging practices;
- Submitting a written contribution to the United Nations Network on Migration on the sideline of the International Review Conference on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) as part of its presidency of the National African Network Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI);
- Preparatory meetings for the next session of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA);
- Constant support, interaction and sharing experiences with NHRIs in Afghanistan, Mauritania, Libya, Niger, Cameron and Ivory Coast.

Milestones between the two sessions:
- The CNDH Bureau held its meeting. Standing Committees and the three National Mechanisms conducted their actions including visiting places of deprivation of liberty by the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture;
- Mobilizing CNDH bodies and its CRDH, and its administrative structures to effectively implement its actions including the observation of elections;
- Renewing and expanding the field of impartial and independent observation conducted by the CNDH and including multiple approaches such as thematic observation, field observation, social networks observation, citizenship observation, and polling day observation;
- CNDH continued playing its protective role by handling complaints, conducting visits to prisons, and holding Thursday meetings on protection.  It also continued advocating for the abolition of the death penalty.

Sixth Regular Session of the CNDH General Assembly

Mrs. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), welcomed the CNDH achievement as part of the implementation of its strategy based on the effectiveness of rights.

She also acknowledged the CNDH’s constant actions under the difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the collective mobilization of its members and staff facing this unprecedented challenge.

Her statement was made at the occasion of the Sixth Regular Session of the CNDH General Assembly which was held on Friday 15 October 2021, at the CNDH headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.

Mrs. Bouayach stressed that this session is a milestone in the CNDH actions process. It is founding a new stage in light of the continuity of the CNDH mandate midterm, while its mandate opening witnessed the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced it to work remotely.

She also added that the CNDH will continue conducting its actions based on a renewed strategy, lessons learned and the same approach founded on the effectiveness of rights.

CNDH strategy objectives
Protection will remain top priority as a direct action to support human rights victims and their urgent issues

Mrs. Bouayach indicated that the CNDH strategy is based on the effectiveness of rights. It aims at achieving two goals. The first is to continue working on the implicit determinants of the effectiveness of rights beyond legal factors and focusing on illegal aspects, including economic, social, cultural and environmental. The second is the need to adopt a multi-sectoral approach that remains the most appropriate to develop approaches based on the effectiveness of rights and finding convergence to overcome obstacles preventing the effectiveness of rights.

In the same context, the CNDH Chairperson stressed that protection will remain a top priority as a direct action to support human rights victims and their urgent issues.

She also added that the CNDH will continue working on emerging issues such as human rights, business, climate change or issues imposed by modern technology, which has become an incubator for the exercise of basic freedoms, including freedom of expression, assembly, demonstration, as well as issues related, such as incitement to violence and hatred. The CNDH will also continue conducting its actions related to artificial intelligence, fake news, digital violence, the right to privacy, cybersecurity, and access to information.

CNDH recommendations and proposals to the Government to consolidate Morocco’s achievement in promoting and protecting human rights
Three elections were held last September and October and the new government presented its program respecting individuals and collective rights and freedoms. 

Within this national context, this General Assembly was organized to adopt the CNDH recommendations and proposals which will be submitted to the government, stated Mrs. Bouayach. These recommendations will consolidate the achievement of Morocco in protecting and promoting human rights. Besides, they will meet challenges facing the enjoyment of the effectiveness of rights. CNDH President also said that this memorandum is based on constitutional requirements, international human rights instruments ratified by Morocco and the CNDH recommendations submitted to the government.

Mrs. Bouayach stressed that the CNDH will implement its Memorandum of Understanding with the Parliament to influence the inclusion of the human rights approach in bills and laws’ proposals. It will also continue supporting NGOs and human rights defenders, enhancing their participation, establishing partnerships and strengthening their capacities including women and young people.

Concluding her statement, CNDH Chairperson shed light on the importance of upgrading efforts to implement the strategic orientations for the next stage of the CNDH mandate through elaborating action programs and including the strategy axes into the CNDH Regional Commissions (CRDH) and Standing Committees.

Moreover, Mrs. Bouayach called CNDH members to effectively succeed in the next stage of the CNDH mandate through a plan interpreting members’ commitment to human rights issues.

CNDH at the international level
- Participation in two online events on “Promoting and protecting human rights in the context of peaceful protests” and “Human rights education” as part of the 48th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC);
- CNDH was selected with seven National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) across the world as an institution conducting Universal Periodic Review (UPR) renewed and emerging practices;
- Submitting a written contribution to the United Nations Network on Migration on the sideline of the International Review Conference on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) as part of its presidency of the National African Network Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI);
- Preparatory meetings for the next session of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA);
- Constant support, interaction and sharing experiences with NHRIs in Afghanistan, Mauritania, Libya, Niger, Cameron and Ivory Coast.

Milestones between the two sessions:
- The CNDH Bureau held its meeting. Standing Committees and the three National Mechanisms conducted their actions including visiting places of deprivation of liberty by the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture;
- Mobilizing CNDH bodies and its CRDH, and its administrative structures to effectively implement its actions including the observation of elections;
- Renewing and expanding the field of impartial and independent observation conducted by the CNDH and including multiple approaches such as thematic observation, field observation, social networks observation, citizenship observation, and polling day observation;
- CNDH continued playing its protective role by handling complaints, conducting visits to prisons, and holding Thursday meetings on protection.  It also continued advocating for the abolition of the death penalty.

Press conference on the occasion of the World Day Against the Death Penalty

The World Day Against the Death Penalty is celebrated each year on 10th October. On this occasion, the Moroccan Coalition Against the Death Penalty and the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) are organizing a Press Conference on Thursday 14th October 2021 at 10 am, at the CNDH Headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.

This year's World Day will be dedicated to women who are at risk of the death penalty, on death row or executed, as well as those who have been pardoned or found innocent.

This Press Conference will therefore be an opportunity to reiterate the plea to abolish the death penalty.

It will also be an occasion to call on the government to vote for the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty, with a view to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Stakeholders at this event will address an awareness-raising program in partnership with schools and civil society. This program aims at abolishing the death penalty.

As part of the celebration of this day, the CNDH will host the exhibition resulting from the Fourth Chapter of the International Poster Competition "Draw me the abolition.” This competition was organized for young people by the Teaching Abolition International Network in partnership with the association "Together Against the Death Penalty” (ECPM).

To be noted, the CNDH and the Moroccan Coalition Against the Death Penalty conduct strategic actions in partnership with the Association Together Against the Death Penalty based on strengthening steps toward the abolition of the death penalty.

Considering COVID-19 circumstances, please confirm your presence via whatsup: +212662762325.

World Day Against the Death Penalty: CNDH- Draw me the abolition of the death penalty

On the occasion of the World Day against the Death Penalty, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) is organizing various activities on 14, 16, 25, 26 and 28 October 2021 to promote the abolition of the death penalty, in partnership with the Moroccan Coalition Against the Death Penalty (know under its French acronym CMCPM), the Moroccan Observatory for Prisons, the Association “Together Against the Death Penalty”, and several educational institutions.

This year's World Day will be dedicated to women who are at risk of the death penalty, on death row, or executed, as well as those who have been pardoned or found innocent.

The tenth of October of each year represents for the CNDH an occasion to reiterate its firm position calling for the abolition of the death penalty in law and practice. It also calls for broadening the number of abolitionists against the death penalty by including all forms of expression and the participation of actors.

“The CNDH is expecting the parliament and the government to translate the development of rights and freedoms by reviewing the penal system and its compatibility with the Kingdom's international commitments and with the 2011 Constitution, including the protection of the right to life”, said Mrs. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson.

Activities scheduled on the occasion of the World Day Against the Death Penalty will focus on:

- Panel discussion organized by the SEVE Association “Savoirêtre et vivre ensemble” in Casablanca. It will be an occasion to raise awareness on the devastating effects of the death penalty in society and advocate against this punishment that contradicts the universal right to life.
- Workshops "Draw me the abolition of the death penalty" will be organized in Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco, to promote the right of students to express their attitudes and impressions on the cruel and inhuman death penalty. Art will be the mean of their expression based on drawing, colours and forms.
- Art exhibition at the CNDH headquarters is the culmination of the Fourth Chapter of the international posters competition "Draw me the Abolition". It is organized for young people by the Teaching Abolition International Network and the Association "Together Against the Death Penalty".

To be noted, the CNDH called for the abolition of the death penalty in its memorandum on Draft Law No. 10-16 to reform and supplement the Penal Code and in its Annual Report 2020.

On 11 November 2020, the CNDH also called Moroccan authorities to vote for the UN resolution calling for a universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty in the run-up to the General Assembly’s vote on the resolution in mid-December 2020.

Press release on CNDH Bureau meeting

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) Bureau held its periodic meeting online on Thursday 2 September 2021, in line with law NO. 76- 15 on the CNDH reorganization and the requirement of its Rules of Procedure.
This meeting focused on:
- Election observation process, including the accreditation and training sessions for national and international observers;
- Procedure on the CNDH and its Regional Commissions members’ declaration on their possible status that may become in conflict in the context of elections.
-  Eighth Regular Session of the CNDH General Assembly.

Nineteen International Organizations and Bodies Accredited to Observe 2021 Elections

After examining their applications, nineteen international organizations and bodies, represented by more than 100 observers, have been accredited to observe the 2021 elections.

The organizations and bodies from Africa, Europe and Asia fulfill the requirements to conduct elections observation. They will carry out their observation mission in the electoral districts of their choice in the twelve regions of the Kingdom, the CNDH said in a statement.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the International Organization of the Francophonie, the Russian Civil Chamber, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Gender Concerns International, Nouvelles Perspectives, the National Council for Audiovisual Regulation in Senegal, the Higher Council of Communication in Burkina Faso, the African Center for Conflict Prevention, the Eugène Delacroix Circle, Dynamic Morocco and the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions will observe the coming elections.

On the Arab level, the accredited institutions include the Arab League, the Arab Parliament and the Arab Network of National Institutions for Human Rights.

The diplomatic representations in Rabat of the European Commission, the United Kingdom, Canada and the Netherlands will also observe the 2021 elections.

The CNDH indicated that communication meetings will be organized for the benefit of these organizations and bodies, in order to shed light on the legal arsenal relating to elections and observers.

The observers join more than 4,600 others, representing 44 national NGOs, in addition to the CNDH.