Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), underscored the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach to fight HIV/AIDS. Her statement was delivered on her behalf by Mr. Mustapha Najmi, Director of Human Rights Promotion at the CNDH, at the study day titled: “Ending AIDS by 2030: Between Public Policies and Civil Initiatives,” held on Thursday, 16 January 2025, at the House of Representatives in Rabat, Morocco. 

The event was organized in partnership between the Moroccan Association for Fighting AIDS (ALCS) and the Socialist Group - Ittihadi Opposition.

In her statement, Ms. Bouayach emphasized that eradicating AIDS requires a collective effort that takes into account the medical, social, and economic factors affecting people living with HIV. She also highlighted the need to combat social stigma and discrimination, which prevent several affected individuals from accessing early testing and treatment, ultimately impacting their health and fundamental rights.
 

Ms. Bouayach reaffirmed that the CNDH places fundamental rights, mainly the right to health, at the heart of its strategy to support national efforts to combat AIDS. She stressed that this right is closely linked to other rights, such as adequate housing, safe employment, and a healthy environment. Ensuring the effectiveness of these rights, she noted, requires adopting a comprehensive approach that considers individuals' living conditions and commits to international standards.

Discussing ways to combat AIDS, Ms. Bouayach stressed that implementing an effective strategy necessitates addressing inequalities, which calls for integrating health and human rights-based approaches into public policies. She welcomed the efforts made through partnerships between government sectors and civil society and called for strengthening cooperation to create an environment that guarantees the rights of people living with HIV and those most at risk.

Within the same context, she urged all stakeholders to continue working together to achieve the national goal of ending AIDS by 2030, in line with Morocco’s international commitments and as a reflection of a collective commitment to improving the lives and dignity of those affected.

At the second session of this event, the CNDH delivered a presentation highlighting international human rights commitments and AIDS, with a focus on early detection among minors.

This study day brought together representatives from government sectors, health experts, civil society activists, and human rights organizations. It provided a platform for exchanging perspectives and expertise on strengthening national and international efforts to stop the spread of AIDS. Discussions also focused on the challenges and stakes facing Morocco in its fight against AIDS, as well as the public policies and civil initiatives contributing to the global goal of eliminating the disease by 2030.