The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) participated on Friday 8 March 2024, in the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur (SP) on Torture within the framework of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), held from 26 February to 5 April 2024, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

In its statement, delivered by Mrs. Saadia Waddah, CNDH member, the CDNH welcomed the report of the SP on Torture and highlighted that the CNDH’s actions are based on an integrated bilateral approach based on protecting the right to physical integrity. Hence, throughout 2023, the CNDH and its twelve Regional Commissions conducted 280 visits, handled over 1,500 prisoners’ complaints and interacted with the relevant authorities to seek solutions.

The CNDH added that its approach is based on preventing violations that may affect the right to physical integrity through the actions of the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (NPM) hosted by the CNDH. Since its establishment in September 2019, the NPM conducted more than 110 visits to various places of deprivation of liberty.

In the same context, the CNDH noted the positive interaction of the relevant departments with its recommendations and observations. It also expressed satisfaction with its various partnerships with both international and national stakeholders, as it implemented programs to strengthen capacities of the Royal Gendarmerie, Prisons Administration, and General Directorate of National Security (DGSN). The CNDH affirmed its participation in the “reconciliation” program aiming to rehabilitate persons convicted in cases of terrorism and extremism.

The CNDH shed light on the ongoing issue of overcrowding in prisons, which persistently undermines the prisoners’ ability to fully enjoy their fundamental rights. The CNDH regarded this issue as a shared responsibility. Thus, the CNDH recommended the rationalization of pre-trial detention, implementation of conditional release and acceleration of the adoption of draft law on alternative punishment to address this issue.