Press release on NPM visits

In line with its mandate established under Law No. 76-15 on the reorganization of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), particularly its Articles 13 to 17, and the provisions of Articles 17 to 23 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) ratified by Morocco on 24 November 2014, a delegation of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (NPM) conducted preventive visits, from Monday 27 February to Thursday 2 March 2023, to five places of deprivation of liberty in the region of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra:
- Local prison of Es-Semara;
- Provincial police district of Es-Semara;
- Territorial Royal Gendarmerie Brigade of Es-Semara;
- Provincial police district of Boujdour;
- Territorial Royal Gendarmerie Brigade of Boujdour.

These visits aim to examine the situation and treatment of persons deprived of their liberty and the working conditions of the law enforcement officials in these facilities.

They also intend to assess the measures taken for preventing any act of torture or cruel/ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in compliance with the relevant national provisions and Morocco's international normative commitments in terms of human rights.

Hence, the delegation visited the aforementioned places where it had several interviews with the detainees and persons in custody.

The delegation thus accessed necessary information for its mission and interviewed persons in charge of the visited places to discuss the measures to be put in place to improve the conditions of detention and prevent torture, inhuman treatment or punishment.

At the end of each visit, the delegation presented its preliminary observations and recommendations.

The MNP delegation was composed of Dr. Mohammed Benajiba, in his capacity as coordinator, Ms. Aicha Nassiri, MNP member, and CNDH-MNP project managers and experts.

Drâa-Tafilalet Region: CRDH holds its Eighth Regular Meeting

The Regional Human Rights Commission in the Drâa-Tafilalet Region (CRDH) holds its eighth regular meeting, in line with the requirements of Law No. 76-15 on the reorganization of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and Article 36 of its Rules of Procedure, on Saturday 18 March 2023, at 9.30 am at the CRDH headquarters in Errachidia, Morocco.

This meeting will schedule a presentation of the CRDH actions in 2023, including the outcome of the three Standing Committees (Protection, Promotion, and the Effectiveness of Human Rights).

At this meeting, stakeholders will also address the remaining activities of the CRDH annual plan and share the outputs of the CNDH meetings and training sessions.

The CRDH is chaired by Ms. Fatima Aârach. It was installed on 8 October 2020.

In line with the CNDH new Law, the CRDH is mandated to monitor the human rights situation and receive complaints on human rights violation allegations in the region.

The CRDH includes the Moroccan provinces of Errachidia, Ouarzazate, Zagora, Tinghir and Midelt.

Contact: +212 535791182
crdh.draatafilalet@cndh.org.ma

Drâa-Tafilalet Region: Meetings on Civil Society and the Effectiveness of Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Commission in the Drâa-Tafilalet Region (CRDH) is organizing meetings on Civil Society and the Effectiveness of Human Rights, from 13 to 21 March 2023, in Zagora, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Midelt and Errachidia, Morocco.

These meetings are part of the implementation of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and its Regional Commissions mandate related to promoting the effectiveness of human rights. They are also organized within the framework of strengthening communication and partnership with civil society actors and various stakeholders at the regional level. These meetings intend to address and discuss issues related to the effectiveness of human rights.

These meetings aim to involve civil society stakeholders to launch collective and participatory debates on promoting human rights culture.

It will also be an opportunity to discuss opportunities and initiatives, share ideas and strengthen, and address constraints and difficulties that hinder the role of civil society in protecting and promoting human rights at the regional level.

CRDH staff and members, researchers and civil society actors will facilitate these meetings.

The program will be scheduled as follows:
- 13 March 2023, at Boumalne Dades (city in Morocco) Cultural Space,
- 14 March 2023, at the Cultural Center in Zagora, Morocco
- 15 March 2023, at the Centre des formations et des rencontres Houmane El Fetouaki, in Ouarzazate, Morocco
- 20 March 2023, at the Centre d’accompagnement de protection de l’enfance in Errachidia, Morocco
- 21 March 2023, at the Association Amal  pour le développement, in Midelt, Morocco.

Contact: +212.535.79.11.82
Email: crdh.errachidiaouarzazate@cndh.org.ma

Presentation of Preliminary Conclusions of the CNDH Report on Reporting Violence and Combating impunity

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) will present its report on reporting violence and combating impunity, on Friday 10 March 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at the CNDH’s headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.

The report examines the legal and procedural issues that hinder the reporting process of violence survivors and prevent them from accessing the remedy. These issues lead to impunity.

The report methodology is based on a court rulings sample, trials observation, meetings and debates organized in the 12 Moroccan regions as part of the "Manskotch Ala El Onf" (Speak out against gender-based violence) national campaign, and a sample of monitoring and analyzing published media materials.

Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH chairperson, will chair this meeting.

Relevant sectors and civil society will participate in this event.

The CNDH launched the "Manskotch Ala El Onf" (Speak out against gender-based violence) national campaign from November 2021 to November 2022. It aimed to encourage reporting this crime and combating impunity.

CNDH organizes the third regional consultation with the children of the Fez-Meknes region

Within the framework of the regional consultations with children, launched by the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) from Guelmim, Morocco, on 3 February 2023, under the slogan "I decide my fate", the CNDH Regional Commission in the Fez-Meknes Region is organizing on Friday 10 March 2023, at 9:30 am, the third regional consultation, in Fez, Morocco.

Around 30 boys and girls between 12 and 17 years representing every province of the region will participate in this regional consultation meeting.

This event aims to collect views and expectations of children on protecting and promoting their rights.

It will be an opportunity to express the extent of their access to their rights, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, through three axes: Public policies (health, education, justice, etc.); Protection (services, protection and redress bodies); Access to information and participation.

The consultation also aims to implement and institutionalize the principle of participation, which is one of the fundamental principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This event intends to ensure the participation of children of all groups, boys and girls, from rural and urban regions, as well as children with disabilities, children in difficult and vulnerable situations, foreign children, etc.

Mr. Abdelkarim Alaazani, Coordinator of the National Child Redress Mechanism, will present the missions of this mechanism.

This event will also be preceded by the organization of an interactive workshop with institutional and civil actors, on Thursday 9 February 2023, at the headquarters of the CNDH Regional Commission in Fez, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of the principle of participation and present the methods that will be adopted at this consultative meeting.

Consultative meetings with children will continue throughout the current year in Marrakech, Agadir, Casablanca, Rabat, Errachidia, Beni Mellal, Oujda, Laayoune and Dakhla.

Seminar on Nomadic People’s Rights between Ambition and Reality in the Draa-Tafilalet Region: Tinghir Province as a Model

The Regional Human Rights Commission in the Draa-Tafilalet Region (CRDH) will organize a seminar on the "Nomadic people rights between ambition and reality in the Draa-Tafilalet Region: Tinghir province as a model", at 9:30 am on Tuesday 7 March 2023, in Tinghir, Morocco.

This seminar is part of the implementation of the CRDH action program 2023. It is also the implementation of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and its Regional Commissions (CRDHs) mandate related to protecting human rights, particularly the rights of vulnerable groups.

The CRDH in the Draa-Tafilalet intends to involve all relevant stakeholders, each from his/her position, in a collective and participatory debate regarding the nomads’ human rights situation and ways to protect them.
This seminar also aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting nomadic people’s rights.

Participants will address this issue through several axes, mainly: the reality and prospects of the human rights situation of nomads from the perspective of civil society and the role of local communities, the Public Prosecutor and the National Initiative for Human Development in ensuring the effectiveness of the nomads’ rights.

Relevant governmental and non-governmental, elected officials, civil society, professors and media representatives will take part in this event.

CNDH establishes the Working Group on reviewing the Family Code and develop a comprehensive vision

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) announces the establishment of the Working Group on the review of the Family Code, which will conduct pluralistic deliberation and discussion among national competencies, with a view to preparing a memorandum that consolidates a comprehensive vision for reforming the Family Code and combats the legal loopholes.

The establishment of this working group is part of the CNDH strategy based on the effectiveness of human rights. It aims to raise issues in relation to the requirements of the Family Code and ensure the achievement of equality and non-discrimination.

Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, stated that it is the continuity of the CNDH actions to promote women and girls rights. Since 2019, the CNDH have organized the national campaign to abolish the legal requirement for child marriage. The CNDH presented its opinion regarding the law, and criminal and civil procedures related to the rights of women and girls. It also addressed, at the General Assembly last October, the elements on issues related to the Family code. She also added that the CNDH adopted criterions such as multidisciplinary, field actions, competence and commitment to choose the working group members... Through this working group, the CNDH seeks to develop proposals for amendments that guarantee respect for human dignity, and enable him/her to choose for his/her life and ensure the best interest of the child.

The working group methodology is founded on a participatory approach based on sharing visions and enriching thought and debates on the Family Code and its harmonization with international conventions and constitutional requirements.

Mrs. Malika Ben Radi, CNDH member, is a coordinator of the Working Group on proposing the review of the Family Code.

Working Group membership:
Mrs. Soulma Taoud, President of the CNDH Regional Commission in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Region,
Mrs. Zahira Fountir, CNDH Member,
Mrs. Nezha Guessous, CNDH Member,
Mrs. Zhour El-Horr, Coordinator of the National Mechanism for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities,
Mrs. Latifa Jbabdi, Member of the Executive Office of Union de l'Action Féminine (UAF),
Mrs. Jamila Garmouma, Vice President of the Federation of Women’s Rights League,
Mrs. Amina Lotfi, President of the Democratic Association of Moroccan Women (ADFM),
Mrs. Aatifa Timjerdine, ADFM Vice President,
Mr. Hassan Rahhou, University Professor,
Mr. Mohamed Sassi, University Professor.

10th Session of the CNDH General Assembly (24 February 2023)

The General Assembly (GA) of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), chaired by Ms. Amina Bouayach, held its tenth regular session, on Friday 24 February 2023, at the CNDH headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 76-15 related to the CNDH reorganization and its Rules of Procedures.

This session was an opportunity for GA members to receive information on the progress of the draft study on bio-ethics in Morocco as part of national dynamics and as a priority of the Emerging Rights.

GA members welcomed the Outcome Document of the Rabat World Human Rights Forum (held on 17 and 18 February 2023), which will be a roadmap setting the priorities of major current issues, such as climate change, migration and transitional justice/memory.

The GA also welcomed the regional consultation meetings with children after the first meeting in Guelmim, Morocco.

Within this context, Ms. Bouayach presented this campaign’s objectives and its position as a strategic priority for the promotion of the rights of the child as a partner and a major actor in establishing the national protective system, particularly within the context of developing the upcoming report to be submitted to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

She also considered that these national meetings have an international dimension and a pioneering Moroccan experience at the regional level to institutionalize the principle of participation.

At this session, the GA approved the CNDH accounts for 2022 and its draft budget for 2024.

The GA was informed about the contents of the report on the implementation of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (CMW), which will be submitted to the United Nations Committee on CMW this February.

Members were also informed about the digital database documenting the files of the victims of past violations and their rights holders. 22,945 digital copies of arbitration decisions were completed, including decisions issued by the Independent Arbitration Commission.

At this session, the CNDH also launched a beta version of the Human Rights Digital Library, which currently includes 192 documents of the CNDH publications that are classified, indexed and made available to the public in four languages. This Library will be reinforced with references and other national and international human rights publications.

At this meeting, members stood a minute of silence in memory of the late Abdelkader Azrie, Former Head of the Mediation and Relationships with Parliament Unit at the CNDH and Former CNDH member, who passed away on Thursday 2 February 2023. The CNDH also paid him tribute at the Rabat World Human Rights Forum, besides six prominent national and international human rights defenders.

Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Region: CNDH organizes the 2nd regional consultation meeting with the children

After launching its regional consultation meetings with children in Guelmim, Morocco, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) is organizing the second consultation meeting with the children in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, on Friday 24 February 2023, at 9:30 am at the Hotel Solazur in Tanger, Morocco.

This meeting aims to implement and institutionalize the principle of participation, which is one of the fundamental principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This event also aims to listen to children’s points of view and discuss their expectations/suggestions regarding access to their fundamental rights (health, education, care, entertainment, culture, development, etc.) and the difficulties preventing them from enjoying it.

At this consultation meeting, the CNDH will ensure the participation of children of all groups, girls and boys, from rural and urban areas, representing most of the regions and prefectures, children with disabilities, children in difficult situations, foreign children, etc.

The CNDH will also organize an interactive workshop with institutional actors and civil society, preceding this consultation meeting, on Thursday 23 February 2023, at the headquarters of the CNDH Regional Commission in Tanger, Morocco. It aims at raising awareness of the importance of children’s participation and presenting the tools of action that will be adopted.

Consultative meetings with children will continue throughout the current year in the following Moroccan cities: Fez, Marrakech, Agadir, Casablanca, Rabat, Errachidia, Beni Mellal, Oujda, Laayoune and Dakhla.

Marrakech-Safi Region: Interactive meeting on Combating School Dropout and Child Marriage

The Regional Human Rights Commission in the Marrakech-Safi Region (CRDH), in coordination with the Regional Academy of Education and the Federation of Women’s Rights League, will organize an interactive meeting with officials working at the Vigilance Units for Combating School Dropout and Child Marriage of the Regional Directorates of Education, on Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 9:30 at the CRDH headquarters in Marrakech, Morocco.

This interactive meeting aims to examine means of coordination to reduce the school dropout phenomenon. It also intends to introduce the relevant stakeholders and their roles in order to raise vigilance towards girls who have dropped out of school, prevent child marriages, and ensure the representation of hearing cells in the regional and local coordination committees working on women victims of violence issues.

On several occasions, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) expressed its views and recommendations on this issue. Combating child marriage is among the priority issues in the CNDH strategy.