Morocco was re-elected, in the person of Abdallah Ounnir, as a member of the United Nations Sub-Committee on Prevention of Torture (SPT), at the elections held on Thursday 22 October 2020 in Geneva, during the 8th Meeting of the States Parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

The SPT visits places of detention in States party to the Protocol and elaborate recommendations on the protection of persons deprived of their liberty. It may also provide advice and assistance to states parties on the establishment of national preventive mechanisms against torture, in addition to providing training and technical assistance to these mechanisms to enhance their capacities.

Mr. Ounnir is a University Professor and researcher of private law and international criminal and humanitarian law. He was Vice President, Rapporteur, and in charge of jurisprudence issues within the SPT during his first term. He is also a member of the Regional Human Rights Commission of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Region (CRDH).

To be noted that Morocco ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in November 2014, following the Royal message addressed to participants in the World Human Rights Forum organized in Marrakech, Morocco.

In addition to the recent election of Mr. Ounnir, Mr. Mahjoub El Hiba, a member of the CNDH, was elected as an expert in the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and Mr. Mohamed Lamarti, President of the CRDH of the Oriental Region, was elected to represent Africa in the membership of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

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