Today’s meeting is part of a strategy aiming to break up with the period of human rights violations; it is also an opportunity to confirm our will to act for the prevention of violations and to ensure full respect for the rule of law, including in places of deprivation of liberty, declared Amina Bouayach, Chairprson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) at the briefing on the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (NPM), held on 12 April 2019 in Rabat, Morocco.

This briefing aimed at informing national and international stakeholders and non-governmental organizations on the latest preparations for the establishment of the NPM as provided for by the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

This meeting is response to the recommendation of the Moroccan Truth Commission (IER) and the constitutional provisions, said Ms. Bouayach. Article 22 of the 2011 Constitution states that the physical and moral integrity of anyone shall not be undermined by any person whatsoever, private or public, under any circumstances. No one shall inflict upon another, under any pretext whatsoever, any cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment which undermines their dignity. CNDH Chairperson also added that the briefing responds to the recommendations of UN anti-torture mechanisms.

At the opening session of this meeting, Ms. Bouayach stated that hosting this mechanism by CNDH, is consistent with the general tendency adopted by most of the countries concerned. As of March 2019, 71 states established the NPM out of 89 states parties to the OPCAT and more than two-thirds of these mechanisms are hosted in national human rights institutions (NHRIs).

Furthermore, Ms. Bouayach stressed that the new law of the Council provides for cooperation, consultation and mutual assistance between the NPM and the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT) established by the OPCAT. The OPCAT provides that the prevention should be based on tripartite relationship between the State Party (Morocco), the SPT and the NPM. It is based primarily on the principles of constructive dialogue and cooperation to ensure the effectiveness of the OPCAT.

Mr. Ahmed Chaouqui Benyoub, Interministerial Delegate for Human Rights and the representative of the Public Prosecutor Office took part in this meeting.

The meeting was also attended by UN experts, international partners as well as government department, parliament and civil society organisations.