About CNDH
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) is a pluralist and independent national institution, established in March 2011 to succeed the Advisory Council on Human Rights (CCDH) founded in 1990.
The Council examines all issues related to defending, protecting and promoting human rights and freedoms, ensuring their full exercise and upholding the dignity, rights and freedoms of citizens, individuals and groups, in accordance with national and universal principles in the field of human rights.
In line with the 2011 Constitution and in fulfillment of Morocco’s international human rights commitments, particularly concerning grievance mechanisms, Law No. 76.15 on CNDH’s reorganization was adopted in 2018. This Law outlined the Council’s constitutional standing as an entity dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights, considering the Paris Principles relating to the status of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and the Belgrade Principles on the relationship between NHRIs and parliaments.
Under this Law, and with an aim to extend its roles in protecting and promoting human rights and preventing their violation, three mechanisms were established within CNDH's structure: the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (NPM), the National Redress Mechanism for Children and the National Mechanism for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Council also has twelve (12) Regional Human Rights Commissions (CRDHs) supporting the discharge of its mandate at the regional level.
CNDH advises the government and Parliament and provides proposals on human rights issues. It presents its stances, upon request or proactively, through opinions, memoranda, reports and studies relating to laws, draft laws or any matter within its mandate.
Download Law No. 76-15 on the reorganization of CNDH (Available in French)
CNDH Mandate related to Human Rights Protection includes: Monitoring, overseeing and following up on the human rights situation at national and regional levels; Conducting necessary inquiries and investigations on human rights violations and elaborate reports, including conclusions on its actions. The CNDH also submits reports and recommendations to the relevant authorities; Reviewing all cases of human rights violation, either on its initiative, based on a complaint from the concerned or a delegated party. These complaints are examined, handled and followed up. The concerned parties are informed of the outcome of their complaints; Conducting visits to detention places and prisons and monitoring the conditions and treatment of detainees as part of exercising its human rights protection missions. The CNDH also visits child protection centers, reintegration centers, social protection institutions, mental and psychological health specialized hospitals, and detention facilities for foreigners in an irregular situation; Intervening on an urgent basis, whenever there are situations of heightened tension to proactively prevent potential individual or collective human rights violations. In such instances, the CNDH employs necessary mediation and conciliation methods deemed to be appropriate, coordinating with relevant public authorities to address the concerns effectively. CNDH National Mechanisms Under the Law 76-15, the CNDH hosts the following national mechanisms as part of reinforcing its missions on the protection of human rights: National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture: It examines the situation of persons deprived of their liberty and their treatment by: -Conducting regular visits to the various places where there are persons deprived of their liberty or likely to be deprived of it, intending to reinforce their protection against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; -Elaborating any recommendations which implementation could improve the treatment and situation of persons deprived of their liberty and prevent torture; -Submitting any proposal or observation on the legislation in force or on the bills or proposals of laws relating to the prevention of torture. National Redress Mechanism for Children: It conducts several missions including: -Conducting all investigations relating to the received complaints and examining, handling and dealing with them; -Organizing hearings inviting the parties concerned by the violation or the complaint, as well as witnesses, experts and any person whose hearing it deems useful. National Mechanism for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities It carries out several missions including : -Receiving complaints presented directly by persons with disabilities who are victims of violation of their rights, by their representatives or by third parties; -Conducting all investigations relating to the received complaints and examining, handling and dealing with them; -Organizing hearings inviting the parties concerned by the violation or the complaint, as well as witnesses, experts and any person whose hearing it deems useful.
-Receiving complaints presented directly by children victims of violation, by their legal representatives or by third parties;
Prevention of human rights violations
Guided by international instruments and relevant constitutional principles, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) is firmly convinced of the need to foster a proactive sense of rights and promote openness to all stakeholders. This approach aims to cultivate a collective and responsible understanding of pertinent standards, and promote best practices that open up new avenues for good governance, including security governance.
At the outset of its mandate in 2019, CNDH launched a three-dimensional dynamic focused on prevention, protection and promotion. It ensured that this dynamic was adaptable to emerging challenges, recognizing that sustainained effectiveness requires continuous improvement and immunization against potential threats.
The establishment of the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (NPM) within the Council's structure marks a crucial step in strengthening guarantees of respect for human rights and implementing the human rights roadmap outlined by the 2011 Constitution. This initiative was part of a vision forged through extensive, multi-stakeholder discussions, aiming to establish a solid foundation for an effective and proactive mechanism focused on concrete solutions, efficiency and cooperation.
CNDH has attached particular importance to creating a comprehensive system that integrates monitoring, documentation, investigation, rapid response and the dissemination of a human rights culture. It has also been keen to engage with international mechanisms, including the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture.
Leveraging accumulated experiences, the Council focused its efforts on initiatives incorporating the prevention of human rights violations, promoting responsible behavior among citizens and authorities, enhancing expertise and fostering cooperation with all stakeholders.