On World Day Against the Death Penalty, commemorated on October 10 every year, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), the Moroccan Coalition for the Abolition of the Death Penalty (CMCPM), and the Moroccan Observatory of Prisons (OMP) are organizing a press conference. Held in collaboration with national abolitionist networks (including parliamentarians, lawyers, educators, journalists, entrepreneurs, etc.) and in partnership with the association Ensemble contre la peine de mort (Together Against the Death Penalty), the event will take place on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 10 AM at CNDH headquarters in Hay Riad, Rabat.

The event aims to shed light on new challenges relating to the death penalty, as organizers reiterate their call for its abolition in light of several key milestones. It has been 20 years since the publication of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission’s (IER) final report, which notably recommended ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aimed at abolishing the death penalty. Moreover, there is an upcoming vote in December on the UN resolution to establish a universal moratorium, along with the anticipation of the Moroccan Parliament’s approval of the draft Penal Code.

On this occasion, CNDH renews its call to the Moroccan government to support the UN resolution for a universal moratorium as a crucial step toward the abolition of the death penalty. The Council also calls upon the government to take all necessary measures to reaffirm its commitment to the abolition of the death penalty by ratifying the OP2 protocol, in accordance with Article 20 of Morocco’s 2011 Constitution, which emphasizes the protection of the right to life.

The World Day Against the Death Penalty, celebrated this year under the theme “The Death Penalty Protects No One,” is an opportunity to raise awareness among the public and political leaders about the cruelty of this inhumane punishment and highlight its ineffectiveness in deterring crime.

We once again extend our invitation and look forward to your presence.