CNDH and APT organize a webinar on “African NPMs, opportunities and challenges during and after the Covid-19 pandemic”

On the occasion of the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) as the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (NPM) of Morocco and The Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) are organizing a regional webinar entitled “African NPMs, opportunities and challenges during and after the Covid-19 pandemic” on Friday 5 March 2021.

This webinar aims to share experiences among African national prevention mechanisms on ways to optimize the work of NPMs during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. This event will also be an opportunity to exchange on challenges and good practices likely to increase the impact of monitoring and NPMs visits to the various places of detention, with a view to better contributing to the promotion of good governance and the rule of law.

Participants, at this webinar, will interact with each other and with several relevant international bodies including the United Nations Sub-Committee for the Prevention of Torture (SPT), APT and three African NPMs (Kingdom of Morocco, South Africa and Republic of Rwanda).
Mr. Moahmmed Benajiba, Coordinator of MNP / CNDH Morocco, Mrs. Catherine Paulet, Member of SPT, Mrs. Christine Umubyeyi, Head of NPM department Rwanda, Mr. Chris Nissen, Commissioner, HRC/NPM, South Africa will take part in this event. They will discuss the following questions:
- How to adapt the visit priorities during the pandemic (types of places, health services, vulnerabilities) while maintaining a broad prevention mandate?
- How to monitor the end of the pandemic (vaccination of detainees and staff, maintenance/ relaxation of measures)?
- Remote control and monitoring: are there good practices to pick up and keep for the post-Covid-19 period?
Beyond visits and monitoring, what are the opportunities for NPMs to promote structural changes (reduction of the prison population, health services, training, others)?

Mrs. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, Mrs. Suzanne Jabbour, SPT President and Mrs. Barbara Bernath, APT Secretary General will participate in the opening session of this webinar which will be moderated by Mr. Rémy Ngoy, member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR).

This webinar will be live on Facebook: @APT.GENEVA and @CNDHMaroc.AR starting at 2:30 p.m.

Laayoune - Sakia El Hamra Region: workshops on human rights for the benefit of prisoners

The Regional Directorate for Prison Administration and Reintegration in the Laayoune Sakia El Hamra region, in partnership with the Regional Human Rights Commission of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region (CRDH), will organize the fourth online workshop on human rights for the benefit of prisoners in the region, on Thursday 2 March 2021.

This workshop is part of the training program targeting inmates in the two prisons in Laayoune and Es-Smara.

These workshops are conducted by the CRDH. They aim at consolidating the reformist concept of the role of prison within the context of the implementation of procedural measures related to the national action plan on democracy and human rights. They also intend to strengthen programs related to training and raising awareness of human rights values and their protecting and promoting mechanisms.

Besides, they seek to empower prisoners with the mechanisms and methods to peacefully resolving disputes and combating all forms of extremism, discrimination and hatred.

This training program has been launched on 15 December 2020. It includes two workshops every month. It will culminate in the establishment of the Human Rights and Citizenship Club in each prison in the region at the end of June 2021.

CRDH OF CASABLANCA- SETTAT REITERATES THE CNDH POSITION FOR THE ABOLITION THE DEATH PENALTY

As part of the CNDH actions related to advocating for the abolition of the death penalty, the Regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca-Settat (CRDH), organized on Thursday 25 February 2021, an online regional conference on the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

The CNDH Commission seeks to further the advocacy campaign for Morocco to vote for the UN resolution on the abolition of the death penalty.  It reiterates the CNDH position that calls for the Moroccan government to stop abstaining from the vote that lasted for 8 sessions since 2007. This resolution is submitted to the vote of the UN General Assembly every session. The last vote was last December 2020. The CRDH also calls for Morocco to engage in the international efforts to abolish the death penalty.

Mrs. Saadia Waddah, CRDH President, underlined, in her statement, the constant and clear position of the CNDH for the abolition of the death penalty. The CNDH stressed its position on several national and international occasions, particularly in its memorandum on the penal code and the statement of Mrs. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, at the 46th regular session of the Human Rights Council.

CRDH President also highlighted the contradiction of the death penalty with the provisions of the Moroccan Constitution of 2011 that enshrine, in Article 20, the right to life as the highest human right.
Experts and activists for the abolition of the death penalty took part in this event, particularly, the Moroccan Coalition for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, the Network of Parliamentarians for the Abolition of the Death Penalty and international activists from Tunisia and Jordan against the death penalty.

The CNDH has long pleaded and defended its position for the abolition of the death penalty. On several occasions, it recommended the Moroccan government to join the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

The CNDH has 12 Regional Human Rights Commission (CRDHs) that contribute to fulfil the CNDH’s mandate at regional level.

CNDH organizes a seminar on the role of the judiciary in protecting NGOs

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) is organizing an online seminar on the role of the judiciary in protecting associations, on Friday 26 February 2021, starting at 4:00 pm.

This seminar will be published live on the CNDH’s Facebook page.

This seminar is part of the CNDH’s contribution to participate in public debate and raising awareness on the role of NGOs in promoting and raising awareness on human rights and strengthening human rights system and its effective enjoyment.

Through this seminar, the CNDH intends to share views and proposals on the means and possibilities to implement the legal and judicial protection guarantees for NGOs.

This seminar will be moderated by Professor Fatima Aarach, CNDH member. Its program will focus on a series of presentations that will shed light on establishing NGOs between the judiciary and administration, the role of public prosecution in the process of community life, and the role of the judiciary in disputes between individuals and administration, and judicial and legal protection.

In 2014, the CNDH published an advisory memorandum on its opinions on freedom of association in Morocco. It also contributes to debates on this issue through a series of meetings such as the seminar on the Dahir on public freedoms which was organized in coordination with the House of Councillors.

US EMBASSY DELEGATION VISITS THE REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF LAAYOUNE-SAKIA EL HAMRA

Mr. Taoufik Berdiji, President of the Regional Human Rights Commission of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region (CRDH), along with the CRDH members, met with the American embassy delegation, on Wednesday 24 February 2021 at the CRDH's headquarters in Laayoune, Morocco.
This meeting was an opportunity to highlight the CRDH’s missions in protecting and promoting human rights, based on the strategy of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) which revolves around the effectiveness of rights. The CRDH handles complaints, monitors the human rights situation, acts upon its own initiatives regarding cases that may involve human rights violations, conducts investigations, visits to prisons, etc.
The CRDH also presented its most important achievements related to the promotion of human rights culture for the year 2020 through training and education. Besides, the CRDH underlined its initiatives and awareness-raising activities and consultations on cultural rights and group rights particularly for the benefit of migrants, women, children and persons with disabilities...
The CRDH interacted with members of the US American delegation on various issues related to the development of the human rights situation in the region, including social and economic issues, the situation of refugees and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, etc.
Previously, the same delegation met, on Monday 22 February 2021 in Dakhla, Morocco, with Mrs. Maimouna Essayed, President of the CRDH of Dakhla- Oued Eddahab region, accompanied by the CRDH members.
To be noted regional human rights commissions are the CNDH mechanisms of proximity established under law No. 1.11.19 on the establishment of the CNDH in 2011.

PRESIDENT OF THE REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF DAKHLA- OUED EDDAHAB MET WITH THE US EMBASSY DELEGATION

The President of the Regional Human Rights Commission of Dakhla– Oued Eddahab (CRDH), Mrs. Maimouna Essayed, accompanied by CRDH members met with a delegation from the American embassy in Morocco on Monday 22 February 2021, in Dakhla, Morocco.

This meeting aimed to present different missions conducted by the CRDH as a mechanism of proximity concerned with protecting and promoting human rights at the level of its area. The CRDH monitors and follows up on the human rights situation, handles complaints, elaborates reports and visits places of deprivation of liberty with a focus on the rights of vulnerable groups such as children, persons with disabilities, migrants and women.

This meeting addressed the various focus areas of the CRDH intervention based on the strategy of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) which revolves around the effectiveness of rights.

To be noted regional human rights commissions are the CNDH mechanisms of proximity established under law No. 1.11.19 on the establishment of the CNDH in 2011.

Press release

In accordance with Law # 76.15 reforming the National Human Rights Council;

Taking note of social media posts and comments, regarding Ms. Sultana Sid Brahim Khaya, being injured on the face;



A delegation of the Council's Regional Human Rights Commission in Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra visited Ms. Sultana Khaya, on February 13th, 2021, at her house.



The visiting team held a hearing with Ms. Sultana Khaya, during which she claimed to have been hit by a stone, allegedly thrown at her by a law enforcement officer.



Due to conflicting information and accounts on the incident, the National Human Rights Council addressed a formal letter to the Office of the Public Prosecutor, recommending that an inquiry be conducted into the allegations all necessary legal measures be taken, if the allegations are deemed substantiated, and  the findings of this inquiry be published. 

CHALLENGES OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION CAN ONLY BE OVERCOME THROUGH AN INTEGRATED APPROACH BASED ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE PRINCIPLE OF PARTICIPATION

The President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), Mrs. Amina Bouayach, announced that the Council has a stake in the principle of participation through training and awareness-raising workshops on the rights of children with disabilities to implement best practices on the rights of children with disabilities, pursuant the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and based on suggestions and perceptions of children with disabilities.

This announcement is part of the CNDH Chairperson statement on the occasion of the opening session of training and awareness-raising workshops on the rights of children with disabilities as part of the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities "Changing mindsets and instilling human rights approach in the perception of disabilities in Morocco." This opening session was organized by the CNDH and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday 15 February 2021 in Rabat, Morocco.

Mrs. Bouayach also stressed that the ambition of the CNDH and its partners is to provide necessary conditions for establishing protective systems for children with disabilities through these workshops.

The CNDH Chairperson stated that these workshops are to be an ethical commitment aiming at creating a space for expression and participation of children with disabilities.

These workshops will be organized in Rabat between 15 and 19 February 2021 and then in Casablanca between 22 and 26 February 2021, in partnership with health professionals, education professionals, NGOs, students and parents’ associations.

In the same context, Mrs. Bouayach indicated that the challenges related to inclusive education can only be overcome through an integrated approach based on human rights and the efforts of all stakeholders to consider the children's opinion.

For her part, WHO representative in Morocco, Mrs. Maryam Bigdeli, pointed out that the WHO considers disability as a global public health issue and a human rights issue. It deserves priority in any development program, she added. Mrs. Bigdeli also noted the commitment and efforts made to ensure the effectiveness of inclusive education within the framework of a human rights approach and to provide quality health services for children with disabilities in Morocco.

In the same context, Mr. Fouad Chafiki, Director of Curricula at the Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Morocco, announced the Ministry's decision to convert about 14,000 public educational institutions into integrated institutions by programming 10% of schools every year to this purpose. He also announced the decision to include sign language in the remote lessons broadcasted by the Ministry on television to enable deaf pupils to attend these lessons.

As for Mr. Abdelmajid Sahnoun, Ministry of Health representative, he called on all participants in this ambitious program to double their efforts, especially in this Covid-19 pandemic circumstance, to take care of persons with disabilities, particularly, to mitigate the side effects of this crisis on children with disabilities.

These training and awareness-raising workshops target students, parents' associations, education professionals and health professionals. They are organized based on an interactive and participatory approach by adopting techniques and tools compatible with various forms of disability.

The first session of each workshop will focus on the concepts and main points of the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the national complaints mechanism for children. The second session will be devoted to the general principles and the independent mechanism for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.

CNDH and WHO organize training and raising awareness days on the Rights of Children with Disabilities

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are organizing, from 15 to 26 February 2021, awareness-raising days and training on the rights of children with disabilities as part of the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities "Changing mindsets and instilling human rights approach in the perception of disabilities in Morocco."

These days aim to consolidate the knowledge of various actors in the field of the rights of Children With Disabilities (CWD). They also intend to propose initiatives for the implementation of the national program of inclusive education and master the appeal procedures to better protect CWD.

This event will target students, parents' associations, education professionals and health professionals. It will take place in two stages. The first workshop will be organized on 15 and 19 February 2021 in Rabat and the second on 22 and 26 February 2021 in Casablanca.

The program of these workshops will be organized following an interactive and participatory approach with techniques and tools adapted to different forms of disability. The event will take place in two sessions. The first session will focus on the concepts and key points of the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the national redress mechanism for children. The second will be devoted to the general principles and the independent mechanism of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Mrs. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, and Dr. Maryam Bigdeli, WHO representative in Rabat, Morocco, will take part in the opening session on Monday 15 February 2021 from 9 a.m. at the Tour Hassan Hotel in Rabat, Morocco.

CNDH ENCOURAGES THE ADOPTION OF AN INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL POLICY BASED ON ENSURING THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION …

Mrs. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), announced that the CNDH encourages, through its strategy based on the effectiveness of human rights, the adoption of an inclusive educational policy based on ensuring the right to education and scientific research for persons with disabilities without discrimination on the basis of the type or degree of disability. The adoption of this policy shall be in line with national programs that have been launched since the ratification of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ICRPD) and its Optional Protocol on April 9, 2009, which have been translated into the preamble of the 2011 Constitution and its Articles 6, 31, 32 and 34.

In her opening statement at the scientific seminar on integrating persons who are blind or visually impaired in the university space, Mrs. Bouayach stressed the importance of  shedding light on this issue to mobilize all human potentials at the university to develop it into space for scientific production and pluralistic debate that integrate disability perspective in its universal and global dimension.

Mrs. Bouayach said that the CNDH and the Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Morocco signed the cooperation and partnership agreement last week. This agreement included the establishment of human rights clubs in universities and university residences to promote human rights culture. It also included the publication of a scientific journal to share reflection and dialogue on this issue.

Mrs. Bouayach also underlined the CNDH's mandate related to the protection of groups in a vulnerable situation. She noted the establishment of the National Mechanism for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities in the CNDH, since September 2019. She reaffirmed that the missions of this mechanism include protecting and promoting the access of this group to their basic rights. She also indicated that this mechanism monitors and follows up on the implementation of the ICRPD at the national level following its Paragraph 2 of Article 33.

Mrs. Bouayach also highlighted the debate launched by the CNDH in December 2020 on the legal capacity of persons with disabilities in view of submitting proposals, with other actors, to develop an ambitious program to break with the guardianship system and replace it with the support system.

For her part, Mrs. Saadia Waddah, President of the Regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca-Settat region (CRDH), addressed the role of the CNDH as a national institution in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities through its new Law No. 76-15 which stipulates the establishment of a national mechanism for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. This mechanism receives direct complaints from victims, conducts all investigations, examines and decides on them under the CNDH’s Rules of Procedures.

Mrs. Waddah also stated that the CNDH launched an online campaign to combat all forms of discrimination against women and girls with disabilities. This campaign is part of its interaction with the recommendation of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRDP) to conduct public awareness-raising campaigns to combat stereotypes, prejudices and myths about women and girls with disabilities.

This event was organized jointly by the Université Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco, the CNDH, Amicale Marocaine des Handicapés, Organisation Marocaine alternatives des déficients visuels, and “lines club” on Friday 12 February 2021.

Participants in this event discussed issues related to the psychological needs of students who are blind or visually impaired, introductions to an inclusive university, and the integration of persons who are blind or visually impaired in the university space.