The Social Pole of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), represented by Social Work Association (AOS) and CNDH Workers’ Union, organized a special reception on Thursday, March 20, 2025, to celebrate the election of Ms. Amina Bouayach as the new President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). The election took place last week at the United Nations Palace in Geneva, granting Ms. Bouayach a three-year term leading the alliance.

“Your election, Ms. Amina Bouayach, is a recognition of our entire institution,” said CNDH staff, expressing their pride.
They emphasized that her nomination on behalf of Africa, backed by an overwhelming majority of A-status accredited National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) worldwide, is a great pride for all.

The reception was marked by an atmosphere of warmth, appreciation, and camaraderie, attended by CRDH Presidents, CNDH members and staff.

In her statement, Ms. Bouayach highlighted that this new role is both an honor and a responsibility, requiring greater commitment, increased effectiveness, and faster action from all involved. She emphasized that this engagement would enhance CNDH’s ability to fulfill its national mandate, while also expanding its role at regional, continental, and international levels.

Providing insight into her election process, she explained that it began months ago with extensive consultations among African NHRIs, ultimately leading to Morocco’s nomination. In January 2025, the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) formally submitted its endorsement of Morocco’s candidacy to GANHRI and the UN Secretariat.

Morocco’s leadership, reform initiatives, and best practices in human rights played a key role in securing strong support not only from African NHRIs but also from their counterparts in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, solidifying Ms. Bouayach’s election as GANHRI President.

As she officially assumed her role last week in Geneva, Ms. Bouayach issued an urgent call to UN member states, urging them to adopt ambitious national laws that exceed the minimum standards set by the Paris Principles governing NHRIs. She stressed that states should allocate adequate budgets to NHRIs to enable them to effectively carry out their protective mandates, provide recommendations, etc. This call to action comes amid growing global challenges, including multilateral pressures, funding shortages, shrinking civic spaces, and direct threats to some NHRIs.

For Ms. Bouayach and CNDH staff, this African nomination and international recognition serve as a powerful inspiration and a call for action to intensify efforts in defending human rights and freedoms in an increasingly challenging global environment.