In line with its mandate established under Law No. 76-15 on the reorganization of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), particularly its Articles 13 to 17, and the provisions of Articles 17 to 23 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) ratified by Morocco on 24 November 2014, a delegation of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (NPM) conducted preventive visits, from Monday 27 February to Thursday 2 March 2023, to five places of deprivation of liberty in the region of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra:
- Local prison of Es-Semara;
- Provincial police district of Es-Semara;
- Territorial Royal Gendarmerie Brigade of Es-Semara;
- Provincial police district of Boujdour;
- Territorial Royal Gendarmerie Brigade of Boujdour.

These visits aim to examine the situation and treatment of persons deprived of their liberty and the working conditions of the law enforcement officials in these facilities.

They also intend to assess the measures taken for preventing any act of torture or cruel/ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in compliance with the relevant national provisions and Morocco's international normative commitments in terms of human rights.

Hence, the delegation visited the aforementioned places where it had several interviews with the detainees and persons in custody.

The delegation thus accessed necessary information for its mission and interviewed persons in charge of the visited places to discuss the measures to be put in place to improve the conditions of detention and prevent torture, inhuman treatment or punishment.

At the end of each visit, the delegation presented its preliminary observations and recommendations.

The MNP delegation was composed of Dr. Mohammed Benajiba, in his capacity as coordinator, Ms. Aicha Nassiri, MNP member, and CNDH-MNP project managers and experts.