Guelmim hosts one-day workshop on Rock Art Sites in Southern Provinces

The Center for Saharan Studies and CNDH’s Regional Human Rights Commissions in TanTan-Guelmim, Laayoune-Esmara and Dakhla-Aoussred organize a one-day workshop on Rock Art Sites in the Souther Provinces. The workshop will take off at 9:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 18, 2014, at the Conference Center in Guelmim.

Held in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Agency for Economic and Social Development in Sothern Provinces and OCP Corporate, this workshop aims at contributing to the preservation and promotion of rock art heritage in the region and strengthening the role of local stakeholder in this regard.

It will highlight the need for a collective and voluntary to (i) draw up an inventory of rock art and tumuli in the Southern Provinces, (ii) identify actions that would preserve and transmit this heritage and hold local stakeholders (territorial leaders, elected officials, civil society, public opinion, etc..) accountable for the preservation of cultural, historic, aesthetic, identity and economic values linked to this heritage and (iii) take concrete measures for its integration into a global development project.

The workshop will address three main issues: defining and identifying rock art heritage in the Southern Provinces and its actual status, the legal aspects and prospects for the promotion and development of this heritage, and how to include rock art heritage in local development.

In addition to the opening and closing sessions, three panels are scheduled for this workshop to discuss “Rock art in Southern Provinces: research and inventory”, “Tumuli and archeological sites in Sahara”, “National and international human rights law for the preservation of rock art and archeological sites”, “Action of the National Center of Rock Art Heritage for the preservation of rock art and archeological sites in Southern Provinces”, “Cultural heritage, vector of development in Moroccan Sahara: experience of the South Agency, “Preservation and enhancement of the rock art heritage in Southern Provinces: the case of Asli Bou Kerch Site in Es-Smara”, “The House of Rock Art in Icht: local initiative for the preservation of rock art in Southern Provinces”, and “Preservation policies and roles of actors: Ministry of Culture, public institutions, local authorities, civil society, etc.).

Elected officials, human rights activists, rock art experts and government representatives will take part in this workshop. The opening session will be chaired by Mr. Omar Dkhil, Chairman of the Justice Commission, Laws and Human Rights at the Chamber of Councilors. The Chairman of the Regional Human Rights Commission of Tan-Tan-Guelmim, the Wali of Guelmim-Es-Semara and Governor of Guelmim Province, the Director of Cultural Heritage at the Ministry of Culture, the President of the Regional Council and the President of the City Council of Guelmim will take the floor in this opening session, which will be attended by Mr. Driss El Yazami, CNDH Chairman.

Download the Rational and program of the workshop

Regional seminar on transitional justice in Middle East and North Africa - role of parliamentarians

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) hold a regional seminar on the role of parliamentarians in transitional justice processes in the Middle East and North Africa, on the 18-19 of December 2013, at Golden Tulip Farah Hotel in Rabat. 

The seminar will bring together parliamentarians from a range of political parties, members of the parliamentary human rights committees and/or legislative drafting committees, and representatives of national human rights institutions from 10 countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.

It aims at promoting exchange of experiences and good practices, as well as discussing challenges regarding legislative processes in the participants’ respective contexts. The seminar will address, in particular, the role of parliamentarians in transitional justice processes. It will flesh out what roles can be played by the parliamentarian at national consultations stage; at the level of eliminating hurdles for equal access without discrimination to accountability, truth seeking, reparation, and institutional reform.

The participants will discuss the role of parliamentarians in national consultations on transitional justice processes; the legislative steps for creating effective inquiry and truth commissions; the possible steps to eliminate legislative hurdles to achieve accountability, etc.

Participants are expected to gain a broader understanding of the good practices in their own role as parliamentarians, NHRIs or state officials in adopting legislative steps that contribute to a meaningful transitional justice process according to international standards. The recommendations to be adopted by the participants in the final session should contribute to consolidating interaction among parliamentarians and their role in the transitional justice processes in various countries in the region.

The opening of the seminar will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at the Golden Tulip Farah Hotel, Rabat, at 9 a.m. Mr. Frej Fenniche, Head of the Middle East Section, OHCHR, Mr. Mohamed Mikhlafi, Minister of Legal Affairs in Yemen, Mr. Mahjoub El Haiba, Inter-ministerial Delegate for Human Rights, and Mr. Driss El Yazami, CNDH president will open the seminar.

Alternatives to Incarceration: Urgent Necessity - international symposium in Rabat

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) organizes an international symposium on alternative sanctions, on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 9:00 a.m., at Golden Tulip Farah Hotel, in Rabat. Under the heading “Alternatives to Incarceration: Urgent Necessity”, this symposium is held in partnership with two Moroccan NGOs: {Amis des Centres de réforme et protection de l’enfance} and {Adala}.

The symposium aims to open debate on alternatives in Morocco and to shed light on international experiences in the area, bearing in mind that the adoption of alternatives can help cope with overcrowding in Moroccan prisons. It’s held one year after the publication by CNDH of a report on prison conditions. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2008) “the overall use of imprisonment is rising throughout the world, while there is little evidence that its increasing use is improving public safety”. Criminal policies in several democratic countries increasingly adopt various alternatives to incarceration. Imprisonment remains of course the main trend in terms of punishment. Despite the difficulty in implementation, alternatives are increasingly adopted. They have at least two virtues: fighting against recidivism and reducing population in prisons. This symposium is organized in contribution to the comprehensive reform of the judiciary in Morocco. It’s also in line with the recommendations of the National Human Rights Council’s report on prison conditions in Morocco. CNDH recommended in its report that alternatives to imprisonment should be included in the Moroccan Criminal Code, including unpaid work for community, withdrawal of driving licenses, etc. It also recommended control, supervision and follow-up to the enforcement of these alternatives, whose effective implementation and impact on the behavior of the convicted should be assessed. Cases should be brought before a court, if need be, to decide over the inadequacy of an alternative. Experts, researchers, lawyers, academics and judges from Morocco, France, Belgium and the United States will take part in this symposium. They will discuss the philosophy behind this new form of punitive sanctions and the best practices applied in France, Belgium and the United States (community service, mediation, rehabilitation...). They will also discuss the prospects and possibilities of alternatives to incarceration in Morocco.

OUJDA: MEETING WITH CIVIL SOCIETY STAKEHOLDERS

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Oujda-Figuig holds a meeting with civil society stakeholders in Oujda-Angad, on Saturday, October 12, 2013 in Oujda.

This meeting aims to build a strong communication bridge between the Commission and civil society stakeholders in the region. The role and the missions of the National Human Rights Council and its regional commissions will be highlighted: protection of human rights, promotion of human rights and encouragement of thought and dialogue on democracy and human rights.

The meeting will be chaired by Mr. Mohamed Lamarti, Chairperson of the Commission of Oujda-Figuig. It will shed light on the powers of the commission, how it intervenes, its plan of action 2013, etc. It will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation possibilities and joint action between the Commission and civil society in the region.

Commission of Al Hoceima- Nador takes part in regional book fair

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Al Hoceima- Nador takes part in the Regional Book Fair, to be held from 22 to 27 of September 2013, in Al Hoceima.

The Fair is organized by the regional directorate of the Ministry of Culture. The Commission CNDH's publications were avaiable for consultation at the Commission's stand.

CNDH BRINGS CLARIFICATION TO DISCOVERY OF REMAINS OF EIGHT PERSONS IN FADRET LEGUIAA

Following recent media reports about the discovery of the remains of eight persons who may have been buried in a mass grave in the Fadret Leguiaa area, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) provides the following elements and clarifications:

The Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) conducted investigations during its mandate term (2004-2005) about the eight victims concerned. Investigations were conducted upon request of their families, relatives or third parties (in five cases), or upon its own initiative (for the other 3 cases).

The IER then held numerous hearings and collected or received documentation on these cases, which are still included in its archives.
Considering the context, particularly that in 1976 fighting was still taking place between the (Moroccan) Royal Armed Forces, the Algerian army and Polisario elements, the truth about the eight cases was not uncovered during the term of the IER. The Moroccan truth commission only had access to the archives of the Moroccan authorities. The IER did task a commission to follow up on these and other unsolved cases.

The follow-up commission was indeed established in March 2006 by the (former) Advisory Council on Human Rights (CCDH) after the truth commission’s term. It was tasked with the reparation process and subsequent investigations, in case new elements appeared.

Like other unsolved cases, the eight cases concerned have been the subject of ongoing exchanges between the Moroccan government, the UN Working group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), the Advisory Council on Human Rights (CCDH), the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). These exchanges have been taking place as part of these stakeholders’ joint efforts to establish the facts about these unsolved cases. This collaboration was vital in uncovering the truth about numerous cases. The next working session is due in November 2013.

Investigations by the IER covered every kind of serious human rights violations (enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, summary executions, torture, violation of the right to life due to the disproportionate use of force, forced exile, etc.). These investigations were carried out upon the requests of victims or their relatives but also based on all available lists of victims established by national and international human rights NGOs.

On many occasions, including in the Southern Provinces, the IER investigated cases that were not submitted by the families and were not included in those lists. The number of cases of enforced disappearances investigated by the IER is even higher than the number of requests and the names on the lists of NGOs. Investigations have revealed that victims in previously discovered burial sites were buried in separate graves.

Two mass graves were found, one in Casablanca during the mandate term of the IER and the other later in Nador. The facts about these two mass graves were made public and the remains were reburied in individual graves, following the precepts of Islam.

The CNDH stresses that it will be always readily available to receive any formal information that would help achieve progress in the establishment of the truth. Similarly, it will contact the families of the eight persons referred to in order to gather any new information, bearing in mind that these cases can always be tried through Moroccan courts, according to Moroccan law and international law.

CNDH draws up report on migration in Morocco

The National Human Rights Council drew up a thematic report on the situation of migrants and refugees in Morocco. This fourth report is entitled "Foreigners and Human Rights in Morocco: for a Radically New Asylum and Migration Policy."

Morocco’s report on the implementation of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families will be considered by the Committee on the Protection of Migrant Workers, during its nineteenth session, opened this morning September 9, 2013, at the Human rights Council in Geneva.

Click to download the conclusions and recommendations of CNDH thematic report

Download the document

CNDH STRONGLY ATTACHED TO ITS COMMITMENTS REGARDING FOLLOW-UP OF RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUED FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND THEIR RIGHT HOLDERS

Newspapers and websites have been reporting news about the sit-in staged, since Thursday, August 22, 2013, in front of the National Human Rights Council by some victims of the past human rights violations, accusing CNDH of “procrastination”. To refute these groundless accusations CNDH issues the following clarifications:

1- More than 25732 victims and/or right holders received financial compensation;

2- 15000 victims and/or right holders have a health coverage, contracted with the (public) National Provident Organizations Fund (CNOPS);

3- The administrative and financial situations of more than 360 victims were settled; 75 cases are now at the hand of the Office of the Head of the Government, in the final stages;

4- Out of 1303 cases, 897 victims or right holders were granted social integration, either via immediate employment opportunities, granted housing or taxi licenses. The government is implementing the other cases;

As far as the demands of the victims staging the sit-in are concerned, CNDH gives the following clarifications:

1- CNDH received a petition signed by 45 people (only 15 of them take part in the sit-in);

2- The administrative situation of 11 among them has already been settled. Some of them were given jobs in the public sector;

3- 17 people have already benefited from social integration. Their cases are at the hand of the office of the Head of the Government, at the final stages;

4- 9 of them have already received financial compensation and have health coverage. No social integration recommendations were issued for them by the Equity and Reconciliation Commission or the follow-up commission;

5- The remaining 8 cases missed the deadline that was set by the Equity and reconciliation Commission.

CNDH re-affirms that it’s strongly attached to its commitments regarding the follow-up of the implementation of the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission and the follow-up Commission. The doors of the institution will always be open to the victims of the past human rights violations and their right holders until all recommendations are implemented.

CELEBRATING CULTURE AND RIGHT TO CULTURE AT WORLD INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY SOUTH OF MOROCCO

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) celebrates culture and right to culture at the Moussem of Tan Tan, listed by UNESCO, as an intangible heritage of humanity since 2008. The Moussem will be held from 4 to 9 of September 2013. It will be an opportunity to promote cultural rights and the Sahran-Hassani cultural heritage, which is a component of the national cultural identity, under the Moroccan Constitution.

The Council’s publications (reports, memorandums, studies, guidelines, etc.) and more than 100 publications on Sahara will be available throughout. CNDH has scheduled several activities under the heading “Right to culture”: a roundtable on “Saharan intangible cultural heritage: concepts and challenges” and a seminar on cultural policy in the Southern Provinces. CNDH invited several professors, experts and stakeholders specializing in the area to moderate these two activities. A workshop will be held by CNDH to sensitize civil society stakeholders about the necessity for safeguarding, promoting and protecting heritage. An art workshop for children is also scheduled. The Council will screen five films (a documentary, two short movies and two feature movies) dealing with issues related to the Sahara. CNDH’s tent will be a platform to debate on and discuss some books and publications dealing with the Saharan-Hassani culture. A concert will be held to celebrate the Hassani music and tribute will be given to the famous singer Khosseifa, whose album features in the Anthology of Hassani Music, prepared by the Centre of Saharan Studies with CNDH support. The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted on October 17, 2003. Morocco ratified it on July 6, 2003. According to this convention, the “intangible cultural heritage” means “the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.” Each State Party shall (a) take the necessary measures to ensure the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage present in its territory; (b) identify and define the various elements of the intangible cultural heritage present in its territory, with the participation of communities, groups and relevant non-governmental organizations, (c) endeavor, by all appropriate means, to ensure recognition of, respect for, and enhancement of the intangible cultural heritage in society, in particular through (i) educational, awareness-raising and information programs, aimed at the general public, in particular young people; (ii) specific educational and training programs within the communities and groups concerned.

REGIONAL COMMISSION OF TANGIER TAKES PART IN ALLAMA FESTIVAL IN OUED LAOU AND MOQRISSAT FESTIVAL

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Tangier takes part in two local festivals, the first from 18 to 24 of August 2013, in Oued Laou, and the second from 22 to 25 of August 2013, in Moqrissat. Oued Laou Festival will be organized under the heading “Moroccans around the world” and the 3rd Moqrissat Festival under the heading “Cultural and economic heritage as lever for local development”.

This participation is in line with the commission’s plan of action 2013 aiming at promoting the culture of human rights. It will be an opportunity to outreach and communicate with civil society stakeholders and people concerned with cultural and human rights issues in the region.

The Regional Commission of Tangier was officially inaugurated on February 2, 2012. It’s mandated to monitor the situation of human rights at the regional level and to receive complaints about alleged violations of human rights.

The Commission is one of the National Human Rights Council’s 13 regional human rights mechanisms. It is mandated to implement the Council’s programs and projects in the promotion of human rights, in close collaboration with all local stakeholders concerned.

The Commission’s mandate covers the provinces/prefectures of Tangier-Assila, Mdiq-Fnideq, Chefchaoune, Ouazzane, Tétouan, Fahs-Anjra and Larache.