The National Human Rights Council (CNDH), in partnership with the United Nations Human Rights Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), launched, on 15 and 16 March 2023 in Rabat, Morocco, a panel discussion on human rights monitoring in border regions. At the opening of this meeting, Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, noted (via video) that the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) called for, through its Goal 11, monitoring the harmonization of border control procedures with international human rights law through cooperating with National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). She also considered that this mission is fundamental for its capacity to identify accurate and documented results and provide relevant recommendations to protect migrants. Within this context, CNDH Chairperson underlined the CNDH Fact-Finding Commission established to report what happened during the "unprecedented confrontations at the Melilla crossing" that took place after the events of 24 June 2022. Ms. Bouayach also welcomed the effective role of the CNDH Regional Commissions (CRDHs) in monitoring, following up on and communicating with all actors on the regional level. In regards to the reinforcement of the protection of human rights at borders, Ms. Bouayach indicated that the protection issues and the reality of events require all stakeholders to share experiences, develop capacities and improve knowledge/monitoring tools. Hence, the CNDH Chairperson highlighted the importance of adopting OHCHR and experts’ recommendations with the view to launch a new phase, including using new and innovative monitoring tools to protect human rights at borders. Mr. Mazen Shaqoura, Regional Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Middle East and North Africa, took part in this meeting. Participants in this meeting, including experts and specialists, addressed several points, including mainly: international instruments and standards related to migration, the role of NHRIs in monitoring, sharing experiences and following up methods, etc. Download the Chairperson’s statement (Available in Arabic)