EDITORIAL

This double issue (June-July 2011) highlights a crucial step in the follow-up process of the implementation of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations, in terms of the preservation of national memory, including the memory of the past serious human rights violations.

Indeed, this issue sheds light on the international scientific symposium organized by the (Moroccan) National Human Rights Council, in collaboration with its partners, on the "Cultural Heritage of Rif: What museography?”, on 15 - 16 July 2011 in Al-Hoceima.

This symposium brought together more than forty researchers and experts specialized in the history and tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Rif and in museography, from Morocco, Spain, Italy, UK, France and Germany. A message was addressed by His Majesty the King to the participants of this symposium.

In this message the Sovereign paid “tribute to the National Human Rights Council for its dedicated effort to pursue, together with its partners, the implementation of the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, whose action covers a wide range of areas, including those pertaining to community reparation for victims of gross violations of human rights, history and the preservation of memory. These are essential ingredients for the reinforcement of the Moroccan political model which has been recognized, regionally and worldwide, as a unique, pioneering pattern of transitional justice aimed at achieving equity and reconciliation.”

The King said that due attention “should be paid to preserving the collective memory of Moroccans, as an essential step on the path to building a full-fledged democratic society. This is a far-reaching project that we are all trying to preserve and consolidate, while pressing ahead with our endeavours to reconcile Moroccans with their history, transcending the shortfalls of the past, and focusing rather on preserving the present.”

A partnership agreement was signed to create the Museum of the Rif, which aims to promote the historical memory and the memory of the present-time, at the local, regional and national levels. It also aims to encourage cultural dialogue and exchange of memories, to promote environmental development and cultural tourism in the region, and to develop cultural occupations related to museum activities.

More information about this scientific symposium and CNDH activities at the national and international levels can be found in this double issue of the CNDH newsletter.

Enjoy it!

The Editorial Board