Within the framework of its monthly program, “Protection Thursday,” and on the occasion of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, marked on June 18 each year, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) organizes an interactive online symposium on “Foreigners and Discrimination, Current Situation in light of the concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)”, at 6:30 pm, on Thursday 13 June 2024.

The proceedings of this symposium will be live on the CNDH’s Facebook page.

It is part of the CNDH’s monthly program "Protection Thursday", and the continuation of its online seminars on "Protecting human rights within the context of migration”.

It aims to explore hate speech and its associated forms of discrimination and address the roles of relevant protective mechanisms. It also seeks to highlight interactions related to ways of enhancing stakeholders’ engagement in promoting equal rights and combating all forms of discrimination in light of the CERD concluding observations, following its review of Morocco’s report in November 2023.

Mrs. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, will deliver an opening statement at this symposium.

Mr. Abderrafie Hamdi, Head of the CNDH Protection and Monitoring Directorate, will moderate this seminar.

Participants will focus on several key issues, including the national legislative framework and the development of a protection system, challenges faced by foreigners in achieving equality, civil society experiences, CNDH recommendations and outcomes regarding racial discrimination, CERD Concluding Observations, and the intersectional approach as a tool for combating discrimination.

Since 2013, Morocco has approved the National Strategy for Migration and Asylum. About a decade ago, several action programs were implemented to support foreigners’ social and economic integration and enhance respect for human rights in managing migration.