REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION OF PRISONERS - SEMINAR IN CASABLANCA

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca-Settat, the Relais Prison-Société Association and Âdala Association organize a seminar on “Rehabilitation: making legal procedures simple for effective reintegration of prisoners in society”. This seminar will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013 at Idou Anfa Hotel, at 3:00 p.m.

The seminar will shed light on the issue of social integration of prisoners and the related legal obstacles that have been identified by the Relais Prison-Société Association through its field action. It’s held in line with recommendations of the National Human Rights Council’s report on prison conditions.

This gathering aims to open debate on the issue of rehabilitation and the related legal, legislative and institutional aspects. It will be an opportunity put forward proposals to make the legal procedures simple and accessible for an effective reintegration of prisoners in to society.
This seminar will bring together lawyers, judges, representatives of government departments, national institutions, civil society association, businesses, etc.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca-Settat 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.

AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEM

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Errachidia-Ouarzazate and the National Education Directorate in Zagora concluded a partnership and cooperation agreement on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., at Reda Hotel in Zagora.

Through this agreement, the two partners aim to build a platform to promote human rights through the education and training system. The agreement refers to activities and programs aiming to promote the principles and values of human rights and to help build positive attitudes towards oneself and the others. It also aims sensitize about the fundamental human rights and the rights and duties of citizens. Spreading and promoting the culture of human rights and promoting schools and encouraging their openness towards their environment are among the objectives of this partnership.

The Commission concluded a similar agreement with the Education Directorate in Tinghir, on Wednesday, May 29, 2013.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca-Settat was appointed on January 23, 2012. It’s chaired by Ms Fatima Aarache. Its mandate covers the provinces of Errachidia, Ouarzazate, Tinghir and Zagora. It 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.

CEREMONY TO GIVE TRIBUTE TO MEDICAL STAFF AND SENSITIZE ABOUT THEIR ROLE IN EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF RIGHT TO HEALTH

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Laayoune-Smara organizes, in partnership with the Association of Patient friends for Medical Support, a ceremony to give tribute to several medical and administrative staff of the hospitals of Laayoune. This activity, which will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., at the Parador Hotel, aims to highlight and raise awareness about the role of doctors, nurses and other health professionals in the effective implementation of the right to health.

It also aims to shed light on the efforts medical staff members make to treat patients and help them get well. Get doctors, nurses and health professionals involved in the promotion of human rights is another objective of the ceremony. The right to health and the role of doctors in the protection of human rights will be highlighted. Awards and gifts will be given to the professionals concerned.

This activity is held in line with the regional commission’s efforts and contribution to implementing the right to health and strengthening the role of health professionals in the implementation of this right. It reflects the commission’s openness to the different local stakeholders and its outreach policy to promote the culture of human rights.

In partnership with UNDP, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) conducted in 2010 a study on the right to development, based on the International Covenant of economic, social and cultural rights and the Millennium Development Goals. The study targeted four sectors: employment, education, health and housing. CNDH published in 2012 a thematic report on mental health and human rights.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Laayoune-Smara 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 COMMISSION OF TANTAN-GUELMIM HOLDS MEETING WITH REGIONAL OBSERVATORY FOR SCHOOL VIOLENCE

The Regional Human Rights Commission of TanTan-Guelmim holds, in partnership with the Regional Academy for Education and Training of Guelmim-Smara, a meeting with the Regional Observatory for School Violence. This meeting will be held at the main office of the Academy in Guelmim, on Friday, June 7, 2013, at 9:30 a.m.

This gathering is held in line with the efforts the Commission makes to contribute to promoting human rights. It will discuss how to make effective the role of the regional school violence center and observatory. Several presentations on the legal, social and pedagogical aspects of the subject are scheduled during this meeting.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of TanTan-Guelmim 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.

ROUNDTABLE IN OUJDA ON CNDH’S MEMORANDUMS ON CONSTITUTIONAL COURT AND EXCEPTION OF UNCONSTITUTIONALITY

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Oujda-Figuig organizes a roundtable to discuss the National Human Rights Council two memorandums on the Constitutional Court and the Exception of Unconstitutionality. This roundtable will held in cooperation with the Human Rights Laboratory and the Laboratory of Constitutional Studies, On Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 3:30 p.m., at the Conference Room of the Faculty of Law in Oujda.

A constitutional court is created under article 129 of the Moroccan Constitution, approved by referendum in July 2011. Article 133 gives litigants the right to challenge the unconstitutionality of a law that may infringe on the rights and liberties enshrined in the Constitution.

Under the provisions of the Constitution, the legislator is required to issue an organic law for the constitutional court, to provide for its structure, missions, procedures and status of its members. Another organic law should govern terms and condition of the exception of unconstitutionality.
CNDH drafted these two memorandums to contribute to implementing the provisions of the Constitution.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Oujda-Figuig 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 COMMISSION OF MARRAKECH ORGANIZES SCIENTIFIC SEMINAR IN SAFI ON RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Marrakech and the Multidisciplinary Faculty of Safi, in coordination with the Local Governance and Democracy Research and Study Group, organize a scientific seminar in Safi on the right to development. This seminar will be held at the Conference Room of the Faculty, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 9:00 a.m.

Many presentations will be given on the subject: “The right to development as a human right” by Mr. Mustapha Anaflouss, “The main features of comprehensive development” by Dr. Mustapha Sofi, “Position of Safi in the strategic development plans” by Munir Charki and “The development communal plan and the issue of resource mobilization” by Abdelkabir Ajmii.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Marrakech and the Qadi Ayad University’s Multidisciplinary Faculty signed in May 2013 an agreement to learn and benefit from their experiences and resources. This agreement aims to promote the values of citizenship and the culture of human rights. It also aims to encourage initiatives aiming to promote the human rights thoughts and related field actions.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Marrakech 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.

WORKSHOP IN TIZNIT TO DISCUSS DRAFT LAW ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION

The Civil Space (civil society association) organizes a workshop to discuss a draft law on the right to access to information, on Saturday June 1, 2013, at Tin Hinane Center in Tiznit, at 6:00 p.m. This workshop is held in partnership with the Regional Human Rights Commission of Agadir and with support of the Municipal Council of Tiznit.

Mr. Mustapha El Iraqi, member of the National Human Rights Council, Mr. Rachid Ennassiri, Judge and member of the Judges club of Agadir, Mr. Abdelatif Ouamou, parliamentarian, Mr. Mohamed Ali Debba, Regional Treasurer of Tiznit, Mr. Larbi Belouch, Lawyer in Agadir, and Mr. Abdelhafid Rekibi, member of the Moroccan Center for Studies and Research in human rights and communication, will take part in the gathering.

Approved in 2011 by referendum, the Moroccan Constitution stipulates, in Article 27, that citizens, men and women, have the right to access to information held by the public administration, the elected institutions and the entities invested with missions of public service. Under article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

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 COMMISSION OF LAAYOUNE-SMARA HOLDS MEETING ON ACCESSIBILITIES

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Laayoune-Smara holds a meeting on accessibilities for persons with disabilities in the region. This meeting will be held in Boujdour, on Friday, May 31, 2013, at 9:00 a.m.

The gathering will discuss how to ensure accessibility of persons with disabilities to public facilities and administration. It aims to promote the culture of accessibilities in the construction, housing and transport sectors.

It will highlight the conditions of this group and national and international disability rights. It will emphasize the right to travel from one place to another freely, and the importance to remove all related obstacles. Social integration of this group cannot be achieved without the effective implementation of the right to movement and interaction with society.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Laayoune-Smara 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.

PRESERVING MEMORY: REGIONAL COMMISSION OF TANGIER SCREENS HASSAN BENJELLOUN'S DERB MOULAY CHÉRIF

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Tangier and the Association of Cinema Friends, in coordination with the Cinema Club of AL Qadi Ayad Middle School in Tetouan, screen Hassan Benjelloun’s Derb Moulay Chérif, on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at AL Qadi Ayad Middle School in Tetouan, at 4:00 p.m. Film producers and experts will discuss Benjelloun’s famous movie, that sheds light on the past grave human rights violations, after the screening.

This activity is organized in implementation of a partnership agreement concluded by the National Human Rights Council and the Association of Cinema Friends in Tetouan. It’s also held in line with the efforts made to preserve memory in implementation of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission.

The agreement aims to contribute to promoting the culture of human rights, motivating interest in human rights oriented movies and supporting human rights clubs and cinema clubs within schools.

Within the framework of a program sponsored by the European Union aiming to support and follow-up the implementation of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, the National Human Rights Council re-edited six fiction movies produced between 2000 and 2004. This initiative aimed to give tribute to the film producers who tackled human rights issues that have to do with our collective memory.

These movies are: Ahmed Boulan’s Ali, Rabiaa et les Autres, Kamal Kamal’s Tayf nizar, jilali ferhati's Mémoire en détention, Abdelhaï Laraki’s Mona Saber, Saâd Chraibi’s Jawhara (Fille de prison) and Hassan Benjelloun’s Derb Moulay Chérif.

TRAINING SESSION ON MOROCCAN TRUTH COMMISSION FOR TUNISIAN INDEPENDENT COORDINATION FOR TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE

A delegation from the Tunisian Independent National Coordination for Transitional Justice visited the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) to learn and deepen knowledge about the Moroccan transitional justice experience, from 27 to 29 May 2013.

The Tunisian delegation will meet with former members of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission and CNDH officials. It will learn about the different aspects of truth commission’s actions, recommendations, public hearings, community reparation, truth finding, investigation techniques, final report, gender based approach, etc. It will visit the former headquarters of the commission.

Promoting the Moroccan experience in the area of transitional justice is a key element in the National Human Rights Council’s strategic plan. To name a few, CNDH contributed in several workshops leading to the creation of the dialogue, truth and reconciliation commission in the Ivory Coast, the truth and reconciliation commission in Burundi and the truth, justice and reconciliation commission in Togo. Delegations from different countries (Palestine, Mauritania, Tunisia, etc.) visited the Council for the same purposes.

The Tunisian Independent National Coordination for Transitional Justice was created in November 2011. It’s made up of several non-governmental organizations and associations.