Regional Human Rights Commission of Rabat - Kenitra holds its fifth plenary session

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Rabat-Kenitra held its fifth plenary session on Friday, July 19, 2013 at its headquarters in Rabat.

This session discussed the Commission’s activities and outcome since the last session. The National Human Rights Council’s management and program implementation strategy was outlined during the session as well.

The Commission of Rabat – Kenitra was set up on February 16, 2012, in accordance with Article 28 of CNDH’s founding law. It’s mandated to follow-up on and to monitor the situation of human rights in the region of Rabat-Kenitra. It receives and handles complaints about human rights violations.

The Commission also implements CNDH’s programs and projects related to the promotion of human rights, in collaboration with the local stakeholders concerned. Chaired by Mr. Abdelkader Azrii, the Commission is made of members representing the Regional Ombudsman, human rights civil society, bodies and associations of judges, lawyers, doctors, scholars, journalists, professionals and other stakeholders working in the area of human rights.

Under CNDH’s rules of procedure, the Commission has three thematic committees: one for the Protection of Human Rights, another for the Promotion of Human Rights and a third for the enrichment of thought and dialogue on democracy and human rights.

STUDY ON FORENSIC PATHOLOGY IN MOROCCO – Press conference

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) held, on July 8th, 2013, at its headquarters in Rabat, a press conference to present a study on forensic pathology in Morocco, entitled Forensic Pathology in Morocco: the Need for Comprehensive Reform”.

Commissioned by CNDH, this study is in line with the memorandums that the Council has published recently in contribution to the national debate on the reform of the judiciary (a memorandum on the Constitutional Court, on the Exception of Unconstitutionality, on the High Council of the Judicial Power, etc.).

Forensic pathology can help confirm/refute human rights abuses and violations of International Humanitarian Law. It can ensure the guarantees of fair trial. CNDH commissioned this study to contribute to the reform of this important area which is vital for the proper and good management of the judiciary.

This study draws attention to critical issues related to forensic activities and their close relationship with human rights, for victims, suspects or convicted persons, throughout the different stages of the judicial process. It analyzes legislations and regulations under which a physician can be appointed as an assistant to the court (forensic pathologist) and the legislations and regulations that supervise physician’s activities in this.

It seeks to identify, through the examination of the structures of forensic pathology and the profiles of doctors involved in such activities, the deficits and shortcomings of the national system of forensic pathology. The objective is to give relevant proposals and recommendations to the government departments to provide an institutional framework for forensic activities. A network of homogeneous, consistent and scalable structures and instruments (including monitoring and evaluation systems) is needed in order to meet the requirements of efficiency, safety and equality of all citizens before the law.

The study encourages good coordination between institutional and civil society actors to create a space for reflection where policies can be designed to promote forensic pathology and training in this area. It sheds light on the main provisions of international human rights law related to forensic pathology and gives a comprehensive review of all the relevant national laws.

An extensive field study was conducted in 8 cities. The current situation was analyzed rigorously to identify the key issues and challenges relating to the reform of the national system of forensic pathology. The study suggests a number of recommendations that can help reform this system. It calls for a comprehensive review of all laws and regulations governing the profession, the establishment of a national institutional framework for forensic activities, ensuring better integration of forensic activities in the judicial system, etc.

REGIONAL SEMINAR ON MIGRATION GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS - RABAT

Commemorating the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, the Inter-ministerial Delegation for Human Rights (DIDH), the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Morocco, organize a regional seminar on Migration Governance and Human Rights, on Friday, July 5, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at Hotel Tower Hassan in Rabat.

Academicians and experts (from Burkina Faso, Egypt, France, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia and Senegal, government officials), representatives of national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations will take part in this regional gathering.

The chairman and several members of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families and the representatives of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will attend the seminar as well.

The participants will discuss migration dynamics in North Africa and West Africa, South/South migration and the challenges of this new trend, best practices in migration policies, relationship between international human rights law and migration governance, etc.

This seminar will be an opportunity to discuss inter-regional and international cooperation modalities, promote interaction with UN monitoring mechanisms in order to lay the foundation for regular reporting (to these mechanisms) and monitoring the implementation of their recommendations.

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF TANGIER DISCUSSES PRISON CONDITIONS IN NORTHERN MOROCCO

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Tangier organizes a meeting to discuss prison conditions in the region of Tangier-Tetouan, in light of the National Human Rights Council’s report on prison conditions. This meeting will be held on Friday, July 5, 2013, at 4:30 p.m., at the conference room of the Trade, Industry and Services Chamber, in Tetouan.

This gathering aims to contribute to the national debate on prison conditions and to exchange on the rights and conditions of prisoners, who are serving their sentences behind bars, where they should enjoy all their fundamental human rights, as provided for in the Moroccan constitution and international conventions. It also aims to bring all stakeholders concerned together and have them involved in this debate. The participants are invited to exchange on how prisoners’ conditions can be improved, in order to overcome some shortcomings, end any human rights violations, and adhere to (and ensure) the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Presentations will be given on prison conditions in the region, overcrowding, pretrial detention, the protection of prisoners’ rights and the humanization of prisons. The discussions will be an opportunity for the participants to make proposals to implement the recommendations of the National Council’s report on prison conditions.

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) published, in October 2012, a thematic report entitled “Prison crisis, a shared responsibility: 100 recommendations for the protection of prisoners’ rights”. It objectively analyzes prison conditions and violations of prisoners’ rights. It highlights direct and indirect causes of violations and makes several legislative, administrative and proactive recommendations to handle identified issues and stop reported violations.

The report includes CNDH’s conclusions and recommendations on the management of prisons, the implementation of laws and procedures, juvenile justice, female prisoners, mentally ill prisoners, prisoners with disabilities, foreigners, addicts and chronically ill inmates. It also discusses some legislative shortcomings and highlights the budget allocated to the sector.

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF AL HOCEIMA-NADOR HOLDS ROUNDTABLE ON RIGHT TO HEALTH

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Al Hoceima-Nador organizes a roundtable on the right to heath in the Rif Region, on Saturday, July, 6, 2013, at the AL Fath kidney failure center in Midar. “The right to health: possibilities and expectations” is the theme of the roundtable.

This event will bring together health officials and representatives of human rights associations. It aims to create new dynamics and open debate on the health sector, through contribution to creating new national and regional mechanism for the sector. This can also be achieved through partnerships between the Ministry of Health and the stakeholders concerned, such as the Regional Human Rights Commission of Al Hoceima-Nador.

The roundtable also aims to highlight the necessity of respecting the principles of human rights that are related to the fulfillment of the right to health. It will shed light on constraints, obstacles and challenges to the full implementation of the right to health. The aim is to contribute to a comprehensive survey that analyzes the situation of the health sector and monitors how the right to health is being implemented.

TRAINING SESSION IN AGADIR TO BUILD CAPACITIES OF DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION IN THE AREA OF HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION

The Moroccan Commission for Human Rights and the Regional Human Rights Commission of Agadir, with the support of the Inter-ministerial Department for Human Rights, organize a national training session on Friday 31- June 1, 2013 at the National Office of Drinking Water and Electricity’s Social Works Office in Agadir. This is the third national session organized within the framework of a capacity building project for development associations in Morocco.

This session aims at building the capacities of human rights and civil society associations. Representatives of local, regional and national departments and institutions will also take part in this training session. “Capacity building for development association in the area of human rights promotion” is these of this session.

Two presentations are scheduled for the first day of the session: the national and international protection mechanisms and the role of civil society in the legislation as provided for in articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution. Several contributions are scheduled for the second day: economic and social rights, cultural and linguistic rights, disability rights and the international Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Workshops on the monitoring of violations, the implementation of the economic, social and cultural rights and group rights will organized at the end of the training session.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Agadir is one of CNDH’s 13 regional human rights mechanisms. Created under Article 28 of the Council’s founding Royal Decree, these commissions are mandated to monitor the situation of human rights at the local levels. They receive and handle complaints about allegations of human rights violations. They implement the Council’s programs and projects related to the promotion of human rights and stimulation of dialogue and thoughts on human rights, in cooperation with the local stakeholders concerned.

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF FEZ-MEKNES HOLDS MEETING IN MISSOUR ON CIVIL SOCIETY’S ROLE IN IMPLEMENTING HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION PLATFORM

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Fez-Meknes will hold a meeting to exchange on the role of civil society in the implementation of the Citizenship Platform for the Promotion of the Culture of Human Rights, on Saturday, June 29, 2013, in the city of Missour. More than 60 local associations from Boulemane, Missour, Guigou, Sarghina, El Mers, Sekoura, Ait Bazza, Marmoucha, Outat El Haj, etc. will take part in this meeting.

Civil society, for the commission of Fez-Meknes, is a local strategic partner. It can play a vital role in promoting and implementing outreach policy in the area of human rights training and education. Expanding partnership with civil society in the area of human rights promotion and protection is one of the reasons behind this gathering.

The meeting is organized within the framework of the implementation process of the Citizenship Platform. It aims to mobilize local civil society associations and have them involved in the implementation of the Platform. It will highlight human rights promotion and education mechanisms and tools.

Two sessions are scheduled for this meeting. In the first session the Platform will be presented and explained. In the second, workshops will be hold to discuss the role of civil society in the implementation of the Platform through three main topics: awareness-raising, education and training.
The sessions will be moderated by officers of the Regional Human Rights Commission of Fez-Meknes and the Regional Human Rights Commission of Rabat-Kenitra.

It’s worth mentioning that the Regional Human Rights Commission of Fez-Meknes has launched a process to implement the Citizenship Platform for the Promotion of the Culture of Human Rights at the local level. It has held meetings with institutional stakeholders concerned by education and training. On December 27, 2012, three framework agreements were concluded by CNDH and the regional academies for education and training in Fez, Boulemane, Mekness, Tafilalet, Taza and Taounate. A regional monitoring and implementation mechanism was created accordingly.

WORKSHOP IN TIZNIT TO DISCUSS CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES TO INVESTMENT OF MOROCCANS LIVING ABROAD

The students of the Migration and Sustainable Development Master course at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Agadir (University of Ibn Zohr), in partnership with the Municipal Council of Tiznit and the Regional Human Rights Commission of Agadir, organize a workshop on “Investments of Moroccans living abroad: constraints and challenges”. This workshop will be held on Friday, June 28, 2013 (9:00 a.m.) in Tiznit.

A host of specialized professors and researchers, from Morocco and abroad, in addition to civil society stakeholders will take part in this gathering.
Several training workshops are scheduled for this activity. They will be organized within the framework of the (aforesaid) university’s scientific research concern and its willingness to be open to society’s socio-economic and cultural environments.

Several presentations related to the theme of the workshop will be given: “Public policies in the area of migration and development in Morocco: Socio-spatial manifestations”, “Mechanisms to attract investments of migrant workers and to bring investments to their country of origin”. The experience of the Migration, Democracy and Development Association and of the Migration and Development Association in the area will be highlighted. A book on migrations, civil society and spatial development in the city of Taliouine will be presented on this occasion as well.

Two small workshops are scheduled in this gathering. The first will shed light on issues and problems facing investment in the region. The second will tackle the role of local stakeholders in attracting investments.

SEMINAR IN BENI MELLAL: FIGHT OF VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Beni Mellal-Khouribga organizes, in partnership with the Popular Childhood Association, a seminar on school violence, on Friday, June 28, 2013, at the Maghreb Arab Youth House in Beni Mellal. The opening session will start at 6:30 p.m. “For the fight of violence against children” is the theme of the seminar

This human rights oriented gathering is organized in implementation of a partnership concluded by the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the Popular Childhood Association. It will be an opportunity to outline and discuss CNDH’s recent thematic report on child protection centers.

The first session will be moderated by Mr. Rachid Erringua, expert. It will shed light on school violence. The second session, to be moderated by Ms. Jamila Sayouri, CNDH member, will highlight the conclusions and recommendations of CNDH’s report, entitled “Child Protection Centers: Childhood at Risk - For a Comprehensive Policy for Child Protection”.

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF CASABLANCA-SETTAT: ADDED VALUE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION IN THE REGION - MEETING

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca-Settat holds a meeting to highlight the role of the commission in the protection of human rights, on Friday, June 28, 2013, at the Municipal Council in Sidi Bennour. “The Regional Human Rights Commission: added value for human rights protection in the region of Casablanca-Settat” is the theme of this meeting.

This gathering aims to shed light on the commission’s role as a redress and protection mechanism. It’s the first in a series of outreach meetings to be organized by the commission of Casablanca-Settat. It will bring together several institutional and civil society stakeholders active in the Province of Sidi Bennour.

Presentations on the National Human Rights Council’s prerogatives and its regional commission’s mandate will be given in this meeting. The achievements of the Regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca-Settat in the area of human rights protection and the situation of human rights in the Province of Sidi Bennour will be highlighted in this meeting as well.