Marrakech Declaration, a new roadmap for NHRIs to contribute to protecting HRDs and expanding civic space

National Human Rights Institutions from around the globe, gathering in Marrakech at the Global Alliance of NHRIs’ 13th International Conference, adopted on Friday 12 October 2018 the Marrakech Declaration on “Expanding the civic space and promoting and protecting human rights defenders, with a specific focus on women: The role of national human rights institutions”.

“The Declaration translates a strong commitment from NHRIs to better promote and protect human rights defenders (HRD), who have a positive, important, and legitimate role in contributing to the realization of all human rights, at the local, national, regional and international levels” reaffirms Driss El Yazami, President of Morocco’ National Human Rights Council.

“National Human Rights Institutions have committed to protect human rights defenders and establish focal points to provide assistance and support to HRDs swiftly, whenever needed, says Beate Rudolf, Chairwoman of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

The participants of the 13th International Conference of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions have also stressed in the outcome document the important role that women human rights defenders have in the promotion and the protection of all human rights. Whilst they face similar risks as other human rights defenders, WHRDs may also face additional gender-specific discrimination and violence, not only by state agents but also private actors. This comes in the form of intimidation, threats, and sexual violence. This may also happen not only in their own organizations, in their communities, and in their families. They also face social, political, cultural and religious barriers.

The 13th International Conference also voiced concerns about reports on the increasing number of physical attacks against human rights defenders particularly where this includes sexual violence and killings and about reports on shrinking civic space and on threats, risks and reprisals faced by human rights defenders, worldwide.

“Recent and increasing reports from all regions on reprisals, threats, attacks and other acts of intimidation against NHRIs, their members and staff are extremely worrying”

GANHRI and the participating NHRIs approved a 25-point roadmap to effectively contribute to expanding civic space and promoting and protecting human rights defenders. They agreed on a set of concrete recommendations and suggestions aiming to protect human rights defenders against all forms of intimidation, harassment, violence, discrimination and threats, including through monitoring, early warning, reporting and legal advice.

GANHRI 13th International Conference’s outcome document also highlighted the need of cooperation and the importance of training, awareness raising, advancing positive narratives on the importance of human rights, promotion of gender equality and development of strategies to combat all forms of discrimination against women human rights defenders.

The 13th International Conference of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) took place in Marrakech, Morocco, from 10 to 12 October 2018. It was co-hosted, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and the National Human Rights Council of Morocco (CNDH), in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Signature of a framework agreement between the National Human Rights Council and the Marrakech-Safi Region

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH), represented by the National Human Rights Training Institute- Driss Benzekri (INFDH-DB) and the Marrakech-Safi Region, represented by La Maison de l’élu (the House of Elected Officials), will proceed on 11 October 2018 at 10:30 am in La Maison de l’élu, Marrakech, to sign a framework agreement partnership on strengthening the capacity of territorial collectivities in the region.

The partnership agreement will be signed by Mr. Driss El Yazami, CNDH Chairperson and Mr. Ahmed Akhchichine, President of the Regional Council of Marrakech-Safi. It aims at strengthening the capacities of elected officials, civil servants and local actors of territorial collectivities in human rights and freedoms.

As part of the implementation of the 2011 Constitution and the advanced regionalization in Morocco, the role of regions and the importance their powers and attributions transferred to them by the State require the adoption of a deep process of upgrading territorial administration level, qualification and professionalism of local elected representatives, as well as the inclusion of civil society actors in a participatory approach.

The rapprochement of La Maison de l’élu (the first of its kind in Morocco) and the INFDH-DB is part of this perspective. It is also intended as a leading experience in the Kingdom, likely to widespread it in other regions in the future.

In accordance with this agreement, both parties commit to collaborate in several areas including continuing education, sharing good practices and documentations, joint organization of symposia, round tables and workshops on themes related to human rights, territorial justice and sustainable development.

Adress : Maison de l’élu de la région Marrakech-Safi  (Rue Ibn Hanbal, Quartier Hivernage, Marrakech)

Media Contact :
- Rachid Amillat : (+212 6 77 52 80 86)
- Abdelghani Berdi : (+212 662762325)

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI: International conference: Role of national human rights institutions in promoting and protecting human rights defenders

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the international conference of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) will be held in Marrakech from 10 to 12 October 2018. Held every three years, each time in a different continent, the conference is co-hosted this year (13th Conference) by the National Human Rights Council of the Kingdom of Morocco (CNDH) and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), in cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The international conference is marking three major events: the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 20th anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the 25th anniversary of endorsement of the Paris Principles, which provide the international benchmarks against which national human rights institutions (NHRIs) can be accredited. “Expanding the civic space and promoting and protecting human rights defenders, with a specific focus on women: the role of national human rights institutions” is theme the organizers chose for this international event.

Around 300 participants are expected to participate in the conference including presidents and representatives of more than 100 GANHRI-member NHRIs (there are 121 NHRIs in GANHRI), independent experts from the United Nations and the regional human rights systems. Representatives of governments, NGOs and international organizations will also take part in this event.

Recognized by the United Nations as human rights defenders, NHRIs face a double challenge. On the one hand, they are required to protect the autonomy of their action, which is not something desirable, in some countries, and may lead to retaliatory measures, and even repression. On the other hand, NHRIs should protect the freedom of action for other human rights defenders (NGOs, trade unions, professional associations, journalists, etc.). For the United Nations, a human rights defender is anyone who participates “individually and in association with others… in peaceful activities against violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms” (Article 12 of the Declaration on human rights defenders).

Throughout he three days of the conference, the participants will tackle several points including: “Monitoring civic space, and threats to it”; “Communicating on human rights and promoting positive narratives”; “Promoting participation in public life and voice of people being heard” and “strengthening cooperation and partnerships".

The opening  ceremony of the 13th International Conference of NHRIs will take place at 9 am on Wednesday 10 October 2018 at Kenzi Menara Palace Hotel. Will take the floor in the ceremony, Mr. Mustapha Ramid, Minister of State in charge of Human Rights, Mr. Driss El Yazami, President of the National Human Rights Council, Mr. Ahmed Akhchichine, President of the Regional Council- Marrakech- Safi, Ms. Beate Rudolf, GANHRI Chairperson, and Ms. Peggy Hicks, Director of the Thematic Engagement at the OHCHR, in addition to Moroccan and international personalities.

Press contact: Abdelghani Berdi (0662762325)

CNDH has not received any request for opinion on the Military Service Bill

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) denies the information conveyed on 25 August 2018 by the media reporting that the CNDH was requested to submit its opinion on the Military Service Bill during its review by the Parliament.
In accordance with Law 76- 15 reorganizing the CNDH, the Council elaborates, on its initiative or if requested by the Government or the Parliament, its opinion on the draft laws relating to human rights. The CNDH works mainly on the harmonization of these laws with the human rights international conventions ratified by Morocco.

CNDH participates in the 11th Conference of States Parties to CRPD

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) participates in the 11th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP11) from 12 to 14 June 2018 at the UN Headquarters, in New York. This year’s overarching theme is “Leaving no one behind through the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)”.
At the opening session of this event, the CNDH will present, before States Parties, a statement in the name of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).
As part of the COSP11, the CNDH will also co-organize, with the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA), a side event on the political participation of persons with disabilities.
The Council will also participate in a side event on “Strengthening cooperation and partnerships in monitoring the rights of persons with disabilities: experiences and way forward”, co-organized by GANHRI, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, IDA and UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Within the same framework, the Council will also take part, on 11 June 2018, in a general debate on the CRPD.

CNDH’s National Human Rights Training Institute- Driss Benzekri launches a training sessions on citizenship and human rights for young people

The staff of the Regional Human Rights Commissions (CRDHs) (local branches of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH)), will conduct training sessions on issues related to citizenship and human rights for young people. These sessions will take place throughout the month of April 2018.

Organized by the CNDH’s National Human Rights Training Institute- Driss Benzekri (INFDH-DB), these training sessions culminate a process of training trainers that benefited the staff of the CNDH, Ministry of Youth and Sport and leaders of youth NGOs. This process was launched following the publication of the Handbook for Education and Training on Citizenship and Human Rights by the UNESCO and the CNDH with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) in 2015.

These training sessions are part of the CNDH and CRDHs efforts to promote the culture of human rights. These events will take place in five Moroccan cities and will focus on the following themes: “Human Rights: Universality, Indivisibility and Interdependence” (14 April 2018, Guelmim), “Constitution and Religion” (18 April, Tangier), “Linguistic and Cultural Diversity” (20-21 April, Casablanca), “Human Development, Social Justice and Economy” (21- 22 Beni Mellal), “Media in Public Spaces” (23 April, Agadir) and “Citizenship: Representation and Participation” (27 April in Al Houssima).

The purpose of this Handbook is to provide a new educational resource for educators and trainers to enhance the appropriation of human rights culture, particularly among young people. This Handbook is a pedagogical tool based on an educational approach that combines two dimensions: citizenship and human rights.

Download the Handbook for Education and Training on Citizenship and Human Rights (available in French)

Ajial Foundation and National Human Rights Council publish proceedings of 2nd World Human Rights Forum

Ajial Foundation for Human Rights and the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) publish the proceedings of the 2^nd World Human Rights Forum (WHRF) that was held in Marrakech, Morocco from 27 to 30 November 2014. The world event was held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

To the 9000 participants of the forum, from 95 countries, the King addressed a message to highlight the ambition of the Kingdom of Morocco and Africa to be full-fledged players in the universal human rights arena. His Majesty stressed that “Universal values are common to us all, but the pathways we take are not. This is the motto of a responsible Africa which is fully committed to human rights; a continent that can no longer remain the eternal subject for human rights debates. Africa wants to be heard; it wants to make a contribution to devising standards that are truly universal. Our continent does not want to be kept on the sidelines when it comes to human rights, which concern Africa too”.

In over than 400 pages, this new publication gathers statements of eminent dignitaries and human rights defenders who took part in the inaugural and closing conferences of the forum, including:

·         Mr. Baudelaire Ndong Ella, President of the Human Rights Council, Gabon;

·         Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jordan;

·         Mr. Chowdhury Saber Hossain, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Bangladesh;

·         Mr. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Former Head of Government, Spain;

·         Ms. Ideli Salvati, Minister Chief of the Secretariat of Human rights of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil;

·         Ms. Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Gambia;

·         Ms. Naïma Amar, Representative of Soulaliyates Women, Kingdom of Morocco;

·         Ms. Florence Bellivier, FIDH Deputy Secretary General and Chair of the World Coalition against the Death Penalty, France;

·         Mr. Jim Boumelha, President of the International Federation of Journalists, United Kingdom;

·         Mr. Ales Bialiatski, Vice President of the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, Belarus;

·         Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine;

·         Mr. Chibebe Wellington, Deputy Secretary General at the International Trade Union Confederation;

·         Mr. Juan Martín Fresneda, Secretary of State for Human Rights, Argentina;

·         Mr. Pablo Ugenta, General Prosecutor , Argentina;

·         Ms. Verena Taylor, representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, United Kingdom;

·         Mr. Michel Forst,  United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, France;

·         Mr. Michel Tubiana, President of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, France;

·         Ms. Nassera Dutour, President of the Euro-Mediterranean Federation against Enforced Disappearances, Algeria;

·         Ms. Basma Khalfaoui Belaïd, President of the Chokri Belaid Foundation Against Violence, Tunisia;

·         Mr. Kishore Singh, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to education, India;

·         Mr. Adil Bensaleh, President of the National Federation of Deaf-Mutes People, Kingdom of Morocco;

·         Mr. Houssine Abassi, Secretary General of the Tunisian General Labour Union, Tunisia;

·         Mr. Derek Nepinak, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Canada;

·         Mr. Stávros Lambrinídis, European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, Greece;

·         Ms. Navanethem Pillay, Former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, South Africa;

·         Mr. Driss El Yazami, President of the National Human Rights Council, Kingdom of Morocco.

The second chapter of this book is devoted to the topics that were discussed in more than 200 meetings and training spaces, with summary proceedings, recommendations and concrete proposals on many human rights related issues such as: gender equality and parity, disability rights, children’s rights, economic, social and cultural rights, the death penalty, justice, migrants and refugees, effective access to human rights, new human rights challenges, etc.

140 national and international networks, 769 international organizations, 3800 Moroccan NGOs and seven UN agencies participated in the 2nd World Human Rights Forum. 450 journalists were accredited to report on the event. The Parliament and Moroccan constitutional bodies like the High Authority of Audio-visual Communication, the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council, the Central Body for the Prevention of Corruption, the Mediator (ombudsman), etc. invited their international partners to specific events they held as part of the forum. The International Village hosted events of 150 international organizations. National stakeholders built on the momentum of the forum and launched several human rights advocacy initiatives, such as issuing a special postage stamp by Poste Maroc, an FM radio program, a WebTV, engaging social media users and observing a one hour on human rights in all primary and secondary schools all around Morocco.

The book is available in French : Forum mondial des droits de l’Homme

Training session: Accreditation of National Human Rights Institutions

The Francophone Association of National Human Rights Commissions, known in French as Association francophone des commissions nationales des droits de l’Homme (AFCNDH), in cooperation with the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) and the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF) is organizing a training session on the international accreditation of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
This event will take place on 3 and 4 April 2018 at the CNDH’s Driss Benzekri National Human Rights Training Institute (INFDH) in Rabat, Morocco.
The accreditation to “A” status means that the NHRI in full compliance with the Paris Principles and testifies its credibility and independence. Hence, this accreditation allows the NHRI to interact within the international human rights United Nations system.
The workshop aims to provide technical assistance to NHRIs relating to their accreditation process to the Subcommittee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), particularly during the preparation of their conformity declaration files, their telephone interview with the SCA, or during the follow-up and the implementation of the recommendations made by the SCA.
The training session will be based on the practical guide: “Accreditation of NHRIs” developed by the CNCDH. The presentation of this guide will detail the accreditation process and provide answers to questions raised by NHRIs involved in this process. It will also allow professionals to have reliable and adapted information necessary for the preparation of their files.
The event will schedule four stages: the first will be devoted to present the accreditation process; the second will be the written stage on practical cases; the third will be based on simulations of telephone interviews; and the last one will be on the implementation of the SCA recommendations.
NHRIs from Belgium, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Madagascar, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo will take part in this event along with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
It should be noted that the CNDH is accredited by the GANHRI as an “A” Status NHRI, since 2002. The Council also Chaired the network of NHRIs in French-speaking countries (AFCNDH) from 2013 to 2017.

Workshop on Housing-related challenges facing foreigners in Morocco

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) organizes a workshop to address “Housing-related challenges facing foreigners” on 29 March 2018 in Rabat, Morocco.

The right to decent housing is provided by the Constitution and all international conventions ratified by Morocco. The access of the most vulnerable people to this right contributes to improving the rights of all. Hence, these fundamental principles are also the founding pillars of migration and asylum policies. Furthermore, it should be noted that the CNDH report which called on the adoption of a new migration policy, addressed this issue.

This workshop will be an opportunity to determine the legal framework on housing and experiences/projects to host vulnerable people especially foreigners. The discussion will also make it possible to identify initiatives, challenges and share action proposals to promote the right of foreigners to housing.

This seminar will bring together actors working on housing, temporary accommodation and migration (government departments, state institutions, civil society actors…). It will also enable them to share experiences, reflections and good practices.

This workshop is divided into sessions on: Public policies, mechanisms on the right to housing and sector-based items under the national migration and asylum strategy; Housing: International normative framework and sharing experiences; Humanitarian aid and inclusion in legal arrangements: Challenges and issues regarding the protection of fundamental rights.

Mr. Driss EL Yazami, President of the CNDH will open the session at 9 am.

Second campaign to document migrants in Morocco: national appeals commission holds its second meeting

As part of Morocco’s second campaign to document migrants, the National Appeals Commission held its second meeting on Tuesday March 27^th, 2018 at the main office of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) in Rabat. The meeting was chaired by CNDH President Driss EL Yazami, who chairs the Commission. It was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Moroccans Living Abroad and Migration Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the State Ministry in charge of Human Rights and the nine members of the Commission representing civil society, including migrants associations.

The National Appeals Commission is mandated to review and decide on applications rejected by the provincial regulation commissions. Its decisions are based on the instructions of His Majesty the King.

For the second regularization campaign, applicants from 113 countries submitted a total of 28400 applications at 83 prefectures and provinces, between December 15, 2016 and December 31, 2017.

Taking into account the humanitarian considerations behind the two regularization campaigns and the CNDH’s consultations with the partners, the Commission decided to apply more flexible criteria in the process to give opportunity to more migrants to be documented. In addition to those documented at the level of the provincial commissions, other irregular migrants will therefore be documented in this second campaign, namely:

• All women and their children, regardless of any criteria adopted earlier in this campaign;
• All unaccompanied minors;
• All foreigners who do not have employment contracts but can still prove they have a professional activity;
• All foreigners who are married to Moroccan nationals or to documented foreigners, regardless of the duration of marriage; and
• All foreigners who cannot prove they have been living in Morocco for 5 years but have been enrolled in secondary school education.

In 2014, Morocco launched a one-year campaign to document irregular migrants. That first campaign gave opportunity to 23096 people to settle legally in the country. A similar satisfaction rate is expected for the second campaign, following the decisions that the appeals commission has made on its second and last meeting.

At the end of this meeting, the Chairman of the Commission stressed that the whole campaign, initiated by His Majesty the King, was actually pioneering in involving civil society associations in the regularization process, as members of the prefecture and province commissions and the national appeals commission. He also thanked the members of the Commission, as its mandate came to an end, for their commitment and for embracing the spirit of dialogue.