PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN REGIONAL COMMISSION OF CASABLANCA-SETTAT AND REGIONAL ACADEMY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN CHAOUIA OUARDIGHA

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca-Settat and The Regional Academy of Education and Training in the region of Chaouia-Ouardigha will conclude a partnership and cooperation agreement on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at the headquarters of the academy, at 10:00 a.m.

By concluding this agreement with the regional academy, the commission of Casablanca-Settat aims to promote human rights through the education and training system. It also aims to strengthen its partnerships with and openness towards the different local stakeholders in the area of human rights.

Fruit of a series of meetings with the officials of the academy and its directorates, this agreement will be a platform for exchange, cooperation and coordination to promote the culture of human rights. By virtue of the agreement, the design and implement projects and activities in coordination with other partners in the clubs of citizenship and human rights education within the schools of the region.

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.

CNDH TAKES PART IN ARAB LEAGUE IN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON DEVELOPMENT AND DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT ON ARAB REGIONAL SYSTEM

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) will be represented by its Secretary General Mohamed Essabbar in an international seminar on development and democracy and development of an Arab regional system. This seminar will be held at the League of ArabStates, by the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions and Arab Organization for Human Rights, on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 of May 2012.

Six sessions are scheduled in the seminar: good governance, democratic transition and good governance, development types and social justice, citizenship and development as a basis for social justice, empowerment of women in the Arab world and developing Arab League mechanisms in a changing world: challenges and opportunities.

Some 300 participants are expected to take part in this seminar. They represent regional and international organizations, NGOs, National human rights institutions and research and academic centers, in addition to international experts and figures.

The seminar is the first regional or international meeting co-organized by the Arab Network for national Human Rights Institutions. Mr. Nabil Elaraby, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the honorary president of the seminar will honor this regional gathering. Invitations are sent to Ms. Nkmanana Dlamini-Zuma, President of the African Union Commission, Mr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ms. Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Irina Bacova, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, reforms officer at the Arab League.

Laayoune: Training workshop on human rights for HR actors in Southern Provinces

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Laayoune-Smara organizes, in partnership with the Geneva Institute for Human Rights, a human rights training workshop for the members of the Commission and human rights NGOs working in the Southern Provinces, from the 6th to 10th of May, 2013 in Laayoune.

This session is held in implementation of the vision of the Commission that’s keen and eager to help the different actors grasp the concepts of human rights. It is, also, held in line with the Commission’s annual plan of action and its efforts to promote the culture of human rights.

The session with highlight the values and principles of human rights and building knowledge of and understanding international human rights standards and the regional, national and international protection mechanisms.

The workshop will evoke issues related to peace, democracy, development, social justice and women’s rights, as they are provided for in the regional and international instruments of human rights. It will also shed light on the role of civil society in awareness-raising and building common understanding, in order to strengthen commitment to human rights, in theory and practice.

The training seeks to help targeted groups grasp human rights and encourage them to root and apply them in their work. It will help participants stimulate change and provide them with the tools to understand, call for and defend human rights, not to mention increasing knowledge about human rights and the related mechanisms and standards.

The workshop’s program revolves around several points: Human rights terms and concepts, the United Nations’ system for the protection of human rights, international human rights protection mechanisms, the international humanitarian law, the international conventions on women’s rights and the rights of the child, the UN Human Rights Council, the role of the (Moroccan) National Human Rights Council in the protection of human rights and the Universal Periodic Review.

REGIONAL COMMISSION OF AL HOCEIMA-NADOR HOLDS MEETING ON CLUBS OF CITIZENSHIP AND HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Al Hoceima-Nador holds meeting under the heading “Supporting clubs of citizenship and human rights education in the province of Al-Hoceima”. This meeting will be held on Friday, May 3, 2013 in Tetouan, at 3:30 p.m.

This meeting is organized within the framework of the efforts made to promote the culture of human rights through the education and training system. It is opportunity to be open the educational stakeholders and to have them involved in the efforts made to promote the culture of human rights. These efforts will be further strengthened by the creation of clubs of citizenship and human rights education in all schools and regional networks of these clubs. A participatory plan of action of these clubs shall be designed and implemented.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Al Hoceima-Nador is planning a series of meetings with the different local stakeholders, upon the results of which a plan of action for the next academic year (2013-2014) will be designed. This plan of action will be devoted to the promotion of the culture of human rights in schools. Capacity building and the creation of citizenship and human rights education clubs in the different schools in the region is another objective of the plan.

This meeting will be chaired by Ms Souad EL Idrissi, Chairperson of the commission. A framework partnership and cooperation agreement will be signed by the commission and the Education Directorate of the province of Al Hoceima.

TRAINING SESSION IN TETOUAN ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S RIGHTS MECHANISMS IN MOROCCAN COURTS

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Tangier and the Women Research Association for Development and Cooperation organize a training session on 3 and 4 of May 2013, in Tetouan. This session is organized under the heading “Implementation of international women’s rights mechanisms in Moroccan courts.”

This session is held in implementation of the commission’s strategic plan of action and in line with the parties’ active contribution to the reform of the judiciary and promotion of equality. It aims to build capacities of the targeted stakeholders: judges, lawyers, civil society stakeholders and members of the regional commission. The participants will own the methodological tools of the social gender and learn how to use them in their pleadings in women’s rights cases and related conflict before a court.

The participants will also learn how to implement international mechanisms and their principles and philosophy and to use them in their pleadings or as motivations of a court order, in implementation of the Constitution. Approved by referendum, the Moroccan Supreme Law reinforces women’s rights and provides for the principle of equality and fight of all forms of discrimination.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Tangier was appointed on February 2, 2012. Chaired by Ms Soulma Taoud, its mandate covers the provinces of Tangier-Asilah, M'diq-Fnideq and the provinces of Ouazzane, Chefchaouen, Tetouan, Fahs-Anjra and Laarache. 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

GUELMIM: 3rd LOCAL CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR LAWYERS, STAKEHOLDERS AND JUDICIAL STAFF

The Regional Human Rights Commission of TanTan-Guelmim, Fadae al Janob and the Young Lawyers Association organize the third local capacity building workshop for lawyers, stakeholders concerned and judicial staff. The workshop will discuss using the human rights based approach to reform the judiciary in Morocco. It will be held on the 26, 27 and 28 of April 2013, in Guelmim.

A seminar on the topic of the workshop will bring together, on Friday, April 26, judges, lawyers and other stakeholders concerned. Presentations on “Reform of the judiciary and expected results”, “How to take advantage on the human rights based approach to reform the judiciary in Morocco” and “Death penalty in Morocco: to be kept or abolished”, etc. will be given and discussed by the participants.

30 judicial staff members will take part in a training session on the heading of the workshop, on 27 and 28 of April 2013.

LAAYOUNE: TRAINING SESSION ON HOW TO ORGANIZE PEDAGOGICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND MEDIA RELATED ACTIVITIES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CITIZENSHIP CLUBS

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Laayoune-Smara organizes a training session on how to hold pedagogical, cultural, social and media related activities for human rights and citizenship clubs (operating within schools). This session will be held in cooperation with the Regional Academy for Education and Training in the Region of Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, on 27-28 of April 2013, at the main office of the Academy in Laayoune.

This training session will held in implementation of the commission’s plan of action, which lists capacity building in the area of human rights as a priority. Teachers and administrative and pedagogical staff with an experience in civil society and an interest in human rights and in the actions of the human rights and citizenship clubs will take part in this training. Moderators and supervisors of the educational clubs within schools and some teachers and administrative/pedagogical staff who have already participated in the two first training sessions will also take part in the session.

Experts will give presentations on the culture of human rights and its references and the role of the human rights and citizenship clubs. They will highlight “the position and role of the human rights and citizenship clubs within schools”, “the human rights references for the human rights and citizenship clubs”, “the legislative and the pedagogical framework of the clubs”, “methods and mechanisms to create human rights and citizenship clubs” and “how to organize pedagogical, cultural, social and media related activities”.

The human rights education is participation based practice that helps empower individuals, groups and communities. It improves knowledge and builds skills and positions consistent with human rights as they are universally recognized.

Human rights, according to the OHCHR, “can only be achieved through an informed and continued demand by people for their protection. Human rights education promotes values, beliefs and attitudes that encourage all individuals to uphold their own rights and those of others. It develops an understanding of everyone's common responsibility to make human rights a reality in each community.”

“Human rights education constitutes an essential contribution to the long-term prevention of human rights abuses and represents an important investment in the endeavor to achieve a just society in which all human rights of all persons are valued and respected.”

HUMAN RIGHT CARAVAN TO VISIT AGADIR, TIZNIT, TAROUDANT, CHETOUKA AIT BAHA, TATA AND INZEGANE

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Agadir launches a human rights caravan in Agadir to visit several cities under its territorial jurisdiction from April 27 to June 16 2013. The theme of the caravan is “Human rights… Protection… Promotion… Enrichment… Our responsibility”.

The caravan is organized in implementation of the National Human Rights Council’s mandate and the mandate of its regional human rights commissions in the protection and promotion of human rights, raising awareness and the promotion of the values of true citizenship in the system of education, training and media. It is also organized in implementation of the Citizenship Platform for the promotion of the culture of human rights. It’s in line with the National Human Rights Council’s approach, which is based on an outreach and participation strategy. It’s organized in implementation of a regional commission’s recommendation made in its fourth plenary session, held on March 30, 2013.

The caravan will shed light on the role of the regional commission and mobilize local stakeholders and partners in order to promote the culture of human rights at the local levels. It also aims to strengthen communication with the National Human Rights Council and shed light on its mandate and that of its regional commissions and their role as mediators between society and the administration. Strengthening coordination and cooperation with civil society and mobilization of local experts, public figures and stakeholders to promote human rights at all educational levels, mainly in the university is an objective of this awareness campaign. Improving scientific research in the area and building monitor and follow-up capacities of media is another.
The program of this caravan is as follows:

April 27, 2013: launching the campaign at 10:00 a.m., at Ait Souss square, Agadir

- Agadir: 28-27 April 2013

- Tiznit: 5-7 May 2013

- Taroudant: 10-12 May 2013

- Chetouka Ait Baha: 1-2 June 2013

- Tata: 8-9 June 2013

- Inzegane: 15-16 June 2013

CHAIR FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CITIZENSHIP AT AL QADI AYAD UNIVERSITY IN MARRAKECH

The Regional Human rights Commission of Marrakech and Al Qadi Ayad University sign a cooperation agreement in Marrakech, on Friday, April 26, 2013. Under this agreement, a Chair for citizenship and human rights shall be created at the University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Mr. Driss El Yazami, President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), will inaugurate the Chair by a lecture on “Citizenship in Morocco: evolution and challenges”.

The parties of the agreement will use each other’s resources and capabilities to promote the values of citizenship and human rights. They will encourage initiatives aiming at promoting human rights related thoughts and field actions.

Under the agreement, international lectures and experts will be invited to lecture on human rights related issues. Besides, a Master Degree on “Rights-Based Approach to Heritage Management” shall be created, when the right conditions are there. Promoting cultural rights and preserving common memory, as was recommended by the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, are among the targets of the agreement. The parties will cooperate in seminars, meetings and workshops on human rights issues and exchange experiences, information and publications. They will co-organize activities to promote international human rights standards and international mechanisms for promoting the culture of human rights.

Professors teaching at the University will take part in the training programs and activities to be organized by CNDH or its regional commission in the region. They will be invited to moderate seminars and training workshops on human rights for the University’s students. They will also be invited to contribute to training and continuing training programs on human rights and the International Humanitarian Law for professors and students who want to take such courses. CNDH and its regional commission shall provide the University with available publications on international and regional human rights conventions and instruments.

AGADIR: SEMINAR ON DOCUMENTARY FILM AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the Agadir International Documentary Film Festival (FIDADOC) hold a seminar on documentary films and human rights, on 26 and 27 of April 2013 in Agadir.

This seminar is held in line with the Citizenship Platform for the Promotion of the Culture of Human Rights. It will discuss international experiences in using documentary films to promote human rights. The participants will also discuss ways and possibilities to crate centers for documentary films in the regions where CNDH’s regional commissions operate. They will exchange on training documentary stakeholders on human rights in order to communicate the principles and values of human rights through documentaries.

This national gathering will be an opportunity to sensitize the actors and partners concerned with the implementation of the Citizenship Platform, officials of CNDH’s regional human rights commissions and civil society actors about the role cinema can play in conveying and promoting human rights.
The participants will attend some FIDADOC activities on Friday, April 26. A presentation will highlight documentary film production and distribution in Morocco. Image education in schools, universities and cinema club will be highlighted as well. The participants will learn about several experiences from Algeria, Tunisia, Central Africa and West Africa in documentary film production and distribution training.

A plenary session will be held on Saturday, April 27. It will be chaired by Mr. Driss El Yazami, CNDH President. Mr. Mohamed Charef, Chairperson of the Regional Human Rights Commission of Agadir, Mr. Hicham Falah, President of the Association of Culture and Education through Audiovisual (ACEA), which organizes the Festival, will have the floor in the plenary session.

In addition to the plenary session, two workshops will be held to draw an outline for a regional plan of action to educate and training film actors on human rights and reflect on the opportunities of documentary film resource centers. The participants are also expected to reflect on the implementation terms of this plan. They will identify possible stakeholders, training trends and needs and any possible national and international cooperation that should be targeted.

This seminar will bring together official of CNDH and its regional commissions, members of the Steering Committee of the Citizenship Platform, academicians, cinema clubs and civil society representatives, supervisors of human rights and citizenship clubs, journalists, cinema critics, etc.