Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), emphasized that effective human rights protection rests upon aligning national legislation with international conventions. “Harmonization is not merely a technical adjustment, but a comprehensive process that should be underpinned by reforms aimed at transforming mindsets,” she noted.

This was part of her address at an international symposium themed "International Conventions and Domestic Legal Systems: Position and Incorporation." The event was held on October 4, 2024, in Rabat, by the General Secretariat of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco in collaboration with the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) of the Council of Europe.

The symposium convened lawyers, officials, practitioners, and civil society representatives from Morocco and beyond to explore the position of international conventions and treaties within domestic legal systems, the status of international law in constitutions, and the role of such provisions in enhancing human rights protection and reinforcing the rule of law.
 

CNDH Chairperson further highlighted that harmonization is a complex process requiring not only robust legal and institutional frameworks but also consistent promotion efforts to ensure rights protection is on par with their effective promotion.

In this context, Ms. Bouayach reviewed key challenges to harmonization outlined in CNDH”s annual reports, notably the lack of legislative texts addressing some fundamental rights and the inadequacy of certain protection guarantees.

It is worth noting that the Council assesses, within the scope of its mandate, the alignment of applicable legislative and regulatory texts with the international human rights conventions ratified or adhered to by the Kingdom, as well as in accordance with the final observations and recommendations from UN bodies, particularly the treaty mechanisms, and the recommendations accepted by Morocco.