The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) announced the establishment of the "Unit for the Preservation of Memory and the Promotion of Moroccan History and its various Tributaries", on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at a ceremony hosted by the Kingdom's Academy in Rabat, Morocco.
This initiative is a significant step of the CNDH’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER).
Human rights activists and academic professionals participated at this event.
In a statement delivered on her behalf by Mr. Mounir Bensalah, CNDH Secretary-General , Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, highlighted that the establishment of this unit represents a qualitative advancement in fulfilling the IER recommendations related to memory and history. It also responds effectively to international conventions and constitutional requirements regarding cultural preservation and human rights.
CNDH Chairperson emphasized that this unit will serve as a research entity that combines scientific accuracy with a proactive legal and academic approach. Its mission will be to provide content and facilitate advocacy and present recommendations based on history, rights and politics. She also noted the necessity of engaging specialists, researchers and historians to contribute to data collection, events analysis and documentation of contemporary human rights history in Morocco. By preserving shared memory, the unit aims to transform this knowledge into a foundation for productive societal development, thus paving the way for improved governance and equitable regional or territorial advancement.
Addressing the importance of distinguishing between what is possible through political decision and what is available through academic research, Ms. Bouayach underscored that the Memory Preservation Unit serves as a hub for objective reflection and research on issues related to contemporary history and its extent. It acknowledges that historical contexts can either pose challenges to the consolidation of the rule of law or serve as anchors democratic practices and the effectiveness of human rights in Morocco.
At the end of this ceremony, the members of the Memory Preservation Unit were announced. The Unit, which held its inaugural meeting prior to the ceremony, comprises:
Ms. Lamia Radi, Founding President of the Memories for the Future Foundation (FMA)
Mr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of the Rabita Mohammedia of Ulémas
Mr. Jamaâ Baida, Director of the Archives of Moroccan Foundation
Mr. Tayeb Bayad, University Professor
Mr. Mohamed Dahman, University Professor
Mr. Mohamed Saadi, University Professor
Mr. Abdelhay Moudden, University Professor
Mr. Abdellah Boussouf, History Researcher
Mr. Abdelaziz El-Idrissi, Representative of the Moroccan Museums Foundation
Mr. Victor Ohayon, University Professor
Download Chairperson's statement (Available in Arabic)
