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.

PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN REGIONAL COMMISSION OF ERRACHIDIA-OUARZAZATE AND NATIONAL EDUCATION DIRECTORATE IN TINGHIR

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Errachidia-Ouarzazate and the National Education Directorate in Tinghir concluded a partnership and cooperation agreement on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., in Tinghir.

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.

These activities and programs will aim at strengthening critical thinking, mediation and peaceful settlement of conflicts, motivating students to own principles and values of solidarity, accountability, discipline, tolerance, respect for difference and renouncing violence.

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.

REGIONAL COMMISSION OF BENI MELLAL-KHOURIBGA HOLDS ITS FIFTH PLENARY SESSION

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Beni Mellal-Khouribga holds its fifth plenary session on Saturday, May 25, 2013, at Chems Hotel in Beni Mellal, at 9:00 a.m.

The reports of the commission’s working groups on the protection of human rights and promotion of human rights will be presented in this session. The Caravan the commission organized in several cities on citizenship and human rights education will be assessed during the session.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Beni Mellal-Khouribga was appointed on January 9, 2012. It’s chaired by Mr. Allal El Bassraoui. Its mandate covers the provinces and cities of Azilal, Beni Mellal, EL Fqih Bensaleh, Kounifra, Khouribga and Midlet . 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.

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF LAAYOUNE-SMARA HOLDS ROUNDTABLE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Laayoune-Smara holds a roundtable on environmental rights, on Friday, May 24, 2013, in Tarfaya. Under the heading “Environmental rights: milestone for the promotion of the culture of human rights”, this roundtable is held in partnership with local environment associations.

Tarfaya is chosen to host this roundtable given its environment and the number of environment specialized associations. This gathering aims to raise awareness about the need to preserve and protect the environment in the region. It will provide data on coastal and Saharan environment and discuss constraints and prospects in the area.

A local experience in the area will be presented. A visit will be organized to the Environmental Laboratory in Tarfaya.

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 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF BENI MELLA-KHOURIBGA CONCLUDES PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL EDUCATION DIRECTORATE IN KHOURIBGA

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Beni Mella-Khouribga concludes a partnership agreement with the National Education Directorate in Khouribga, in Friday, May 24, 2013, in Khouribga.

This agreement will be signed in the sidelines of Khouribga First Short Story Forum. The Forum is organized by the Journalism and Communication Club, in partnership with the Regional Human Rights Commission of Beni Mella-Khouribga, the Directorate of the Ministry of National Education in the Province of Khouribga, the Novel Club in Morocco and the Moroccan Committee for Cultural Research and Exchange-Khouribga.

The agreement aims to be a cooperation and partnership platform between the commission and the directorate, within the territories where they both operate in. It will strengthen cooperation and partnership between the parties in the promotion of the culture of human rights through the education and training system. For the purposes of this agreement, the parties will co-organize activities and programs and provide for follow-up, monitoring and assessment tools. They will use their financial, human, knowledge and pedagogical resources.

A ceremony will be organized on this occasion to give tribute to Mr. ABdelqader Azrii, Chairperson of the Regional Human Rights Commission of Rabat-Kenitra.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Beni Mellal-Khouribga 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 5th WORLD FORUM ON HUMAN RIGHTS

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) takes part in the 5th World Forum on Human Rights, which will take place from Wednesday 22 to Saturday 25 of May 2013, at the Cité Nantes Events Center - France. The Forum is organized by the International Permanent Secretariat Human Rights and Local Governments.

Under the heading “Sustainable development – Human Rights: a common struggle?”, the Forum 2013 will address the issue of sustainable development in relation to the human rights international law nearly a year after the Rio+20 international conference. It should confirm and reaffirm, if possible, the need for a sustainable development respectful of human rights to ensure a real social progress and a fair development in a strengthened democratic frame and a reinforced protected environment.

The topics of the Fifth Forum are as follow:

• “What development and what economic model(s) for a more human and fairer world?”

• “What equality between human beings in times of crisis?”

• “What territories for tomorrow? Towards public policies based on human rights, full citizenship for all and reinforced democracy.”

CNDH will be represented by Ls Houria Selami, member, Mr. Mohamed Charef, Chairperson of CNDH’s Regional Human Rights Commission of Agadir and Mr. Hamil El Kam, advisor to CNDH President. They will contribute to the discussions of the said topics. Mr. Charef will have a contribution on Friday, May 24, 2013 in the session of Territorial Approaches to Democracy and Human Rights. More than 300 CNDH publication copies will displayed in a hall devoted to the participants for this reason.

Since 2004, the World Forum on Human Rights held in Nantes (France) has been the setting for a large international meeting and in-depth public discussions – free and open – on the crucial issues relating to the current and future situation of Human Rights. The objective is to identify approaches for action at local and global level.

Actors from 40 countries will take part in the 5th Forum: Belgium, Benin, Switzerland, Romania, Senegal, China, Slovenia, Nepal, Tunisia, Brazil, France, Romania, Niger, Spain, Portugal, Canada, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Mexico, Nigeria, Chile, the United States of America, Mali, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Italy, India, Greece, Argentina, Armenia, Palestine, Guinea, Yemen, South Africa, Iran, Northern Ireland and Morocco.

CNDH HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE TO REVEAL CONCLUSIONS OF ITS REPORT ON CHILD PROTECTION CENTERS

The (Moroccan) National Human Rights Council (CNDH) holds a press conference to reveal the conclusions of its report on child protection center, on Monday, May 20, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. “Children in Protection Centers: Childhood at Risk – For an Integrated Policy to Protect Children’s Rights” is the title of the report.

In fulfillment of its mandate and upon its own initiative, CNDH analyzed the situation of children institutionalized in child protection centers by virtue of a court order. It assessed the institutionalization procedures to see to what extent they comply with the standards of the international Convention on the Rights of Children.

The report was put together in follow-up of the implementation of the relevant national and international recommendations. It’s published within a context of reform aiming at promoting and protecting human rights in general and the rights of the child in particular.

In this regard, 17 child protection centers were visited. Adopting a participatory approach, CNDH team held interviews and met with public stakeholders (at the local and central levels), associations, children and families. The gender dimension was taking into consideration throughout the entire process.

The report highlights the international standards related to the institutionalization of children and related national legislation. It makes a number of recommendations relating to public policies, law enforcement, infrastructure, training and capacity building and the implementation of child redress mechanisms.

Child protection centers are socio-educational institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Children in conflict with the law or in hard and difficult situations are institutionalized in these centers by virtue of a court Order. Re-education and reintegration of institutionalized children is the mission of these centers.

This is the third thematic report published by CNDH; the first on prison conditions and second on the situation of psychiatric hospitals.

CNDH HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE TO PRESENT ITS REPORT ON SITUATION IN CHILD PROTECTION CENTRES

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) will organize a press conference to present its thematic report on the situation in Child Protection Centers entitled “Children in Protection Centers: Childhood at Risk… for an Integrated Policy to Protect Children Rights”, on Thursday, May 20, 2013 at 9:30 a.m., at the headquarters of the Council in Rabat.

Upon its own initiative and in fulfillment of its mandate and powers, the national Human Rights Council analyzed the situation of children institutionalized, by virtue of court rulings, in Child Protection Centers. It conducted this analysis to assess the degree of compliance of the institutionalization conditions with the terms and standards of the international Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Fruit of this analysis, the Council’s thematic report was drafted in follow-up of the implementation of the relevant national and international recommendations, within a national context characterized by numerous reforms designed to guarantee the promotion and protection of human rights, in general, and children's rights in particular.

To prepare its report, the Council visited 17 child protection centers and adopted a participatory approach involving all state actors (at the central and local levels), civil society associations, children and families, taking into account the gender dimension.

In addition to the international framework related to the institutionalization of children and the relevant national legislations, the report includes a set of recommendations to the different stakeholders. These recommendations addressed public policies, law enforcement, facilities, training and capacity building and the adoption of grievance redress mechanisms for children...

Child protection centers are socio-educational institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Children in conflict with law and children in difficult circumstances are institutionalized in these institutions by virtue of a court ruling. They are mandated to ensure children’s rehabilitation and reintegration.

It is to be noted that this is the third thematic report published by the National Human Rights Council, after its reports on the situation in psychiatric hospitals and prison conditions.

Summary:

Activity: Press conference to present CNDH’s thematic report on child protection centers

Date and time: Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 9:30 a.m.

Venue: CNDH headquarters (Place Achouhada), in Rabat.

Contact: CNDH communication Department (05 37 73 29 13)

MOHAMED ABROUK RETURNS HOME TOMORROW, SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013

Mr. Mohamed Abrouk was expected to return home today Friday, May 17, 2013. But due to administrative procedures, this date is postponed to tomorrow, Saturday, May 18. He will arrive at Rabat Airport at 9:30 p.m.

The case of Abrouk is one of the cases handled by the committee that was mandated to follow-up on the dossiers of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission within the Council. A relevant report published by the former Advisory Council on Human Rights in 2010 indicated that the case of Abrouk was among the cases clarified and affirmed that he disappeared for political reasons.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, the Council identified where Abrouk was living. The investigations revealed that he was working for the Liberation Organization in Belgrade, under the name AIssa El Beghdadi.
Mr. Abrouk voluntarily decided to return to his home land.