REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF ERRACHIDIA-OUARZAZATE ORGANIZES FILM DAYS ON NATIONAL MEMORY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Errachidia-Ouarzazate, in partnership with the Multi-Disciplinary Faculty and in collaboration with the film club of Anfas Ouarzazate Association for Artistic and Cultural Research, organizes film days under the theme “Cinema and national memory in the field of human rights”. The event will be kicked off on February 19, 2013 at the Multi-Disciplinary Faculty of Ouarzazate.

In the same context and in cooperation with the provincial delegations for education in Ouarzazate, Zagora, Tinghir and Errachidia, Hassan Benjelloun’s film “Derb Moulay Cherif” will be screened in senior high schools’ clubs of education in citizenship and human rights, as from February 16.
The objective of this activity is to draw attention to human rights in Moroccan universities. It is implemented as part of the regional commission’s annual action plan.

The film days will be an opportunity to introduce university students and members of educational clubs to a number of Moroccan movies produced between 2000 and 2004 on the past grave violations of human rights that the National Human Rights Council has published as part of implementing the program of monitoring the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) on archives, history and memory, financed by the European Union. It also falls within the framework of following up the implementation of the IER recommendations relating to preserving collective memory and strengthening the process of democratization and human rights realization.

'GDEIM IZIK' TRIAL: FAIR PROCEEDINGS UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS

The (Moroccan) National Human Rights Council (CNDH) published a preliminary observation report on the trial of individuals accused in relation to the Gdim Izik event which (trial) started on February 1, 2013 before the military court.

Based on general data and the Council’s observations, and apart from the pre-trial stage, the report noted, the trail took place under normal conditions and was marked by due process, to the extent that even some defendants expressed their gratitude to the court presiding judge.

The report highlighted the public nature of the trial attended by relatives, observers, human rights activists, journalists, MPs, and diplomats. It underlined the judge’s persistence to ensure and respect the conditions of a fair trial and the principle of presumption of innocence, while considering police investigation reports as mere information.

All hearings were translated into Spanish, French, English and Hassani dialect. Key court decisions related to the trial organization or proceedings were explained to the defendants and translated for the foreign observers. The presiding judge responded positively to a number of requests by the defense, including summoning some witnesses, presentation of seized items and projection of relevant videos and photos.

The report highlighted the proper proceedings of the trial. The defendants were informed of the charges brought against them in a language they understood, taking into consideration the conditions of a fair trial. They were treated with respect and courtesy, as the defense and the accused themselves confirmed. The report also noted the positive treatment of defendants suffering from fatigue or discomfort who were allowed to sit down during the hearings, received care in a hospital or sent to rest in prison cells where their health conditions were continuously monitored.

The court, the report added, summoned five witnesses listed by the defense, including those who may have witnessed the arrest of the suspects or may have had information about their whereabouts in the time of the incident. In addition, the court heard the testimony of one witness among nine witnesses listed by the General Prosecutor. It briefly heard the grievances of the families of the victims who attending the trial, which is, according to the report, consistent and lawful given the discretion of the president of the court, under Article 96 of the Military Justice Code, and especially because it does not contradict the provisions of Article 9 of the same Code, which prohibits them from standing as civil party in the context of the ongoing trial.

CNDH’s team reported the heavy security presence around the court and the use of metal barriers preventing car but allowing pedestrian traffic. It noted that the role of the public forces was limited to the preservation of order and security and controlling access to the court (identity checks or searches).
The Council’s preliminary report observations concern the environment of the court, the public hearings, organization, and trial’s proceedings.

CNDH’s observation team attended all hearings since the trial started on February 1, 2013 until the date on which the Council published its report (February 13, 2013). The team was composed of lawyers, CNDH members and CNDH officials.

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF LAAYOUNE-SMARA ORGANIZES TRAINING WORKSHOP ON CINEMA FOR SCHOOLS’ EDUCATIONAL AND FILM CLUBS

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Laayoune-Smara holds a training workshop on cinema for schools’ educational and film club members, on February 16, 2013 at the Hassan I High School in Laayoune.

This workshop is organized as part of promoting human rights culture and implementing the directions of the National Human Rights Council on openness to the school.

It aims to provide lessons in cinema and audiovisual media for members of the said clubs in order to entrench the culture of interaction with cinema. It also seeks to encourage the creation of cinema clubs in educational institutions, establish relationships with actors in the audiovisual sector (producers, directors and actors), and motivate young people to innovate in the field of cinema.

Led by director Najib Mounir, from the Association of Solidarity Links for Development, the workshop also intends to motivate students to participate in schools’ film clubs, exploit modern means available in these clubs for educational creativity, and create a regional festival to publicize the productions of film clubs in the southern regions.

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF FEZ-MEKNES HOLDS ITS FOURTH ORDINARY SESSION

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Fez-Meknes convenes its fourth ordinary session on February 15, 2013, at Royal Mirage Hotel in Fez.

The agenda of this session, chaired by Mr. Abdelmajid Makni, Commission chairperson, includes the following items: review the Commission’s activity report for 2012, presenting the annual reports of the thematic committees (Committee for human rights protection, Committee for promoting human rights culture, and Committee for stimulating reflection and debate on democracy and human rights). The session will also examine the Commission’s draft action plan for the year 2013.

This session is held pursuant to the provisions of the Royal Decree on the creation of the National Human Rights Council (in particular articles 40 and 43) as well as the rules of procedure of the Council (especially articles 21 and 22). Established on December 28, 2011, the Regional Human Rights Commission of Fez-Meknes is entrusted with tracking and monitoring the situation of human rights at the regional level and receiving complaints about alleged human rights violations. It is also responsible for implementing the Council’s programs and projects relating to the promotion and protection of human rights, in collaboration with all stakeholders in the region.

Its territorial jurisdiction includes the governorates of Fez and Meknes as well as the provinces of Boulemane, El Hajeb, Ifrane, Moulay Yaacoub, Sefrou, Taounate and Taza.

CNDH FOURTH ORDINARY SESSION DISCUSSES MEMORANDA ON CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S COUNCIL AND YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) holds its fourth ordinary session on February 14, 2013 at its headquarters in Rabat.

Items on the agenda of this session, held in accordance with Article 46 of the Royal Decree establishing the CNDH, include discussing the activity report of the Council and the approval of the draft memoranda prepared by the Council on “the Constitutional Court and the exception of unconstitutionality”, “the Advisory Council for Family and Childhood”, and “the Advisory Council for Youth and Community Action”.

The CNDH has previously published two memoranda on the Authority for Parity and the Fight against All Forms of Discrimination and the Organic Law on the High Council of the Judicial Authority, and an advisory opinion on the bill No. 01-12 on fundamental guarantees granted to the military.

As part of exercising its powers, the CNDH has also published two thematic reports, the first on the situation in prisons entitled “Prison crisis, a shared responsibility: 100 recommendations for the protection of prisoners’ rights”. The second concerns psychiatric institutions entitled “Mental health and human rights: urgent need for a new policy”.

Created on March 1st, 2011 to replace the Advisory Council on Human Rights, the CNDH has a broad mandate at the national and regional levels and features pluralistic composition and strengthened independence. The Council has 13 regional commissions: Dakhla-Aousserd, Tantan-Guelmim, Tangier, Casablanca-Settat, Marrakech, Fez-Meknes, Rabat-Kenitra, Al Hoceima-Nador, Beni Mellal-Khouribga, Errachidia-Ouarzazate, Oujda-Figuig, Agadir, and Laayoune-Smara.

The Council includes the following standing working groups: Working group on parity, non discrimination and new generations of human rights; Working group on the monitoring of human rights violations and protection of human rights; Working group on the development of international relations, partnerships and cooperation; Working group on the promotion of human rights culture and democratic consolidation; Working group on the evaluation and monitoring of public policies in the areas of human rights and harmonization of legislation.

The session will be chaired by Mr. Driss El Yazami, CNDH President.

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF OUJDA - FIGUIG HOLDS ITS FORTH PLENARY SESSION

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Oujda - Figuig holds its forth plenary session, on Saturday, February 9, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., at centre of human and social studies and researches, in Oujda.

The session will discuss and assess the outcome of the commission in 2012 and outline its agenda for 2013, in addition to miscellaneous points.

This session is held in compliance with the provisions of the Council’s founding law (articles 30 and 43) and rules of procedure (articles 21 and 22).

Oujda - Figuig regional commissions was created on January 10, 2012. It is mandated to monitor the situation of human rights in the region of Oujda - Figuig. It receives citizens’ complaints related to human rights violations in the region. It implements CNDH’s programs and projects related to the protection and promotion of human rights, in cooperation with the different stakeholders in the region. The Commission is chaired by Mr. Mohamed Amarti. Its territorial mandate includes the cities and provinces of Oujda-Angad, Berkane, Figuig, Guercif, Taourirt and Jrada.

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF CASABLANCA - SETTAT HOLDS ITS THIRD PLENARY SESSION

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca - Settat holds its third plenary session, on Saturday, February 9, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., at Ido Anfa Hotel, in Casablanca.

The session will discuss the outcome of the regional commission in 2012 and the assessment of the commission’s three thematic commissions (protection of human rights, promotion of human rights and the enrichment of dialogue on human rights and democracy), in addition to the outline of the Commission’s actions for 2013.

Mr. Mohammed Essabbar, Secretary General of the National Human Rights Council, will attend the session. He will give a presentation about the role of regional human rights commissions and their relations with the National Council (CNDH).

This session is held in compliance with the provisions of the Council’s founding law (articles 30 and 43) and rules of procedure (articles 21 and 22).

Casablanca – Settat regional commissions was created on January 17, 2012. It is mandated to monitor the situation of human rights in the region of Casablanca-Settat. It receives citizens’ complaints related to human rights violations in the region. It implements CNDH’s programs and projects related to the protection and promotion of human rights, in cooperation with the different stakeholders in the region. The Commission is chaired by Ms Soumicha Riyaha. Its territorial mandate includes the cities and provinces of Casablanca, Mohammadia, Benslimane, Berrechid, El Jadida, Mediouna, Nouasser, Settat and Sidi Bennour.

SEMINAR IN KHOURIBGA ON THE KAFALA OF ABANDONED CHILDREN

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Beni Mellal - Khouribga, the Regional Office of the Widadiya Hassania (association of judges) in Khouribga and Khouribga Bar Association organize a seminar on the Kafala (adoption) of abandoned children, on Friday, February 8, 2012, at the Chamber of Trade and Industry in Khouribga, at 9:00 a.m.

The seminar will discuss the topic from different perspectives. It will tackle the general rules related to the kafala of abandoned children, kafala procedure, its impacts and the legal framework and reform challenges.

The seminar will make recommendations related to several points in Law 15.01 on the kafala of abandoned children.

INAUGURATION OF THE CENTRE FOR SAHARAN STUDIES

The Centre for Saharan Studies will be inaugurated on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 5 p.m., at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities-University Mohamed V-Agdal, in Al Irfane, Rabat.

The Centre was created at the initiative of the Faculty of Arts, the National Human Rights Council, the Agency for the Promotion and Economic/Social Development of the Southern Provinces (of the Kingdom of Morocco) and the Moroccan national phosphates corporate (OCP). It aims to encourage scientific research on Sahara related issues. It will thus contribute to preserving memory, conducting applied research and laying the foundations of a scientific and serene debate.

The Centre is also created in implementation of the provisions of the new constitution aiming to promote and preserve the Moroccan pluralistic cultural identity, including the Hassani component.

This new research institution will conduct multidisciplinary researches in the historical, social and cultural areas in the southern provinces. It will encourage development research in partnership with local and international stakeholders. It will tackle issues related to all relevant areas in order to contribute to the development and promotion of the southern provinces.

The Center aims to be a center of excellence for Saharan studies to conduct socio-economic and environmental studies for the public and private sectors. It will have a database and an audiovisual documentation center relating to the southern provinces.

It also aims to strengthen cooperation between national and international research centers working in the southern provinces and publish printed and e-books and audiovisual products (CDs, DVDs, documentaries ...).

The Centre will be particularly oriented towards the regions of Guelmim-Essmara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra and Oued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira. But it will be open to the neighboring Saharan and pre-Saharan regions.

NATIONAL SEMINAR ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND BUSINESS IN MOROCCO

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the General Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco (CGEM) organized a seminar on Human Rights and Business in Morocco, on February 5, 2013, at Golden Tulip Farah in Casablanca.

The seminar aims to promote dialogue and cooperation on issues related to human rights in public and private companies. This can be achieved through a multi-stakeholder approach including businesses, unions, government, national institutions and civil society.

The gathering is organized with the support of the Francophone Association of National Human Rights Commissions (AFCNDH). The organizers aim to promote reflection on human rights and business. They hope to create a positive environment that takes into account the roles and responsibilities of each and every stakeholder concerned.

Three sessions are scheduled for this national seminar: Human rights and business: national and international regulatory framework; Human rights and public/private business: legal framework and ways for remedies; Human rights and business: best practices.

Mr. Driss El Yazami, CNDH president, will chair the opening session of the seminar. Mr. Abdelouahed Souhail, Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Mr Salahuddin Kadmiri, CGEM Vice-President, Mr. Miloud Moukharik, Secretary General of the Moroccan Labour Union (U.M.T), Mr. Abdelkader Zair, Deputy Secretary General of the Democratic Confederation of Labour (CDT), Mr. Hamid Chabat, Secretary General of the General Union of Moroccan Workers (U.G.T.M), Abderrahmane Azzouzi, Secretary General of the Democratic Federation of Labour (F.D.T.), and Mohamed Yatim, Secretary General of the Morocco National Labour Union (U.N.T.M.), will attend.

Mr. Mahjoub El Haiba, Inter-ministerial Delegate for Human Rights, Mr. Abdelali Benamour, President of the Competition Council, Mr. Abdelaziz Benzakour, the Ombudsman, and Mimoun Bentaleb, Secretary General of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training will attend the seminar as well.

The United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted on June 26, 2011 a resolution defining the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These principles are not legally binding. They are nevertheless authoritative at the international level.

Recap:

Activity: National Seminar on Human Rights and Business in Morocco'

Date and Time: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 8:30 am

Venue: Hotel Golden Tulip Farah, Casablanca

Contact: CNDH - Department of Communication (05 37 73 13 39)