Based on the strategy of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), which seeks to launch a new horizon to enhance protection through social and territorial justice and the effectiveness of rights, the CNDH held its Fifth Regular Session of the General Assembly on 16 and 17 July 2021, in Azilal Province, Morocco.

The CNDH is also seeking, through the organization of its meeting in this region, to embody the territorial dimension of its strategy and draw the attention of the public actors to the shortcomings in the Beni Mellal- Khenifra region in terms of the effectiveness of rights indicators.

Chaired by the CNDH President, Mrs. Amina Bouayach, this session was an opportunity to meet with Mr. Chakib Benmoussa, Chairman of the Special Committee on the Development Model who presented its report.

General Assembly members interacted actively with Mr. Benmoussa and focused mainly on the importance of adopting a human rights-based approach to build and elaborate the new development model entries.

The General Assembly debated on the priorities of the CNDH’s strategy of actions for 2022/2024, under the same conceptual framework based on the effectiveness of rights and freedoms.

After deliberating on the priorities of the strategy of actions, the General Assembly was informed on the context and levels of progress of the preparatory actions to observe independently and impartially the 2021 elections. Mrs. Bouayach called on Presidents of the CNDH’s Regional Commissions to delay public activities during the electoral elections to maintain full impartiality.

At this meeting, the General Assembly approved the initial draft of the CNDH human resources Statute and mandated the CNDH’s Bureau to final approve after including observations and suggestions. The General Assembly also addressed the CNDH’s draft budget for the year 2022.

Milestones between the two sessions (March 19 - July 17-16, 2021)
In addition to the activities and actions of the Standing Committees, National Mechanisms, Regional Human Rights Commissions, and the CNDH Bureau meetings, the CNDH:

- Published the Annual Report 2020 on the human rights situation in Morocco entitled “Covid-19: Exceptional situation and a new human rights challenge”, which will be published in the Official Gazette in the coming days:
Download the Report (Available in Arabic)

- Followed up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) by signing an agreement on supplementary retirement for the benefit of 99 victims of serious human rights violations.

- Elaborated the draft report on the implementation of the Convention on Enforced Disappearance and the establishment of the Unit for the preservation of memory and the promotion of Moroccan history:

http://cndh.ma/an/press-releases/follow-implementation-ier-recommendatio...

- Followed up on completing files related to reparation, social inclusion and field visits to places of memory preservation in Tazmamart, Al Hoceima Museum and Nador Cemetery.

-  Visited several prisons and followed up the launch of the Practical Guide on Managing Hunger Strikes in Prisons with its partners:
Downlaod the Practical Guide (Available in French)

- Participated in interactive dialogues and meetings within the framework of the 47th regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on the extent of countries’ responses to the prevention of the COVID- 19 pandemic, Business and human rights and combating violence against women:

http://www.cndh.ma/an/article/geneva-cndh-reiterates-its-call-adoption-n...
 -Organized a regional dialogue as part of the CNDH’s agenda on political parity in Dakhla, Morocco

-Amended and updated two memorandums of understanding between the parliament and the two Houses:
http://www.cndh.ma/an/article/cndh-and-house-councilors-sign-memorandum-...
http://www.cndh.ma/an/article/amendment-and-updating-memorandum-understa...

- Launched a website on elections observation in Arabic, Amazigh, French, English and sign language, which includes all laws and decisions related to the election process and terms and conditions to apply for accreditation to conduct impartial and independent election observation:
https://observationelections.cndh.ma/