On Friday 6 January 2023, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) announced the set-up of a Technology, Digital Space and Human Rights Section reporting to the CNDH Chairperson. It is mandated to undertake current and strategic missions as part of the CNDH agenda and its follow-up on human rights issues inside and outside the digital space.

This Section was set up following the provisions of Law No. 76-15 on the CNDH reorganization and its Rules of Procedure requirements.

In addition to monitoring, follow-up and building capacity missions, this Section is in line with the CNDH vision and approach related to the prevention of human rights violations. It is also mandated to protect and promote human rights considering potential violations related to technology and digital space.

This Section priority, said the CNDH Chairperson, responds to the early CNDH concern with issues of emerging freedoms in Morocco, the follow-up on technology and digital space dynamism and their relation to human rights at national, regional and international levels.

Mrs. Bouayach said that the Internet and technological and digital development are indeed essential worldwide priorities now. They allow new ways to exercise fundamental rights and freedoms. They also provide an incubating environment that contributes significantly to effectively accessing these rights. However, their danger and threat may affect the essence of this system and undermine fundamental universal rights and freedoms.

Therefore, added Mrs. Bouayach, the CNDH launched a new methodology to work on these issues by setting up this Section within the CNDH administrative structure as part of keeping pace with the technological and digital evolution at national and international levels and their impact on protecting human rights.

Technology, Digital Space and Human Rights Section is the culmination of the CNDH actions process conducted since the beginning of its current mandate. It aims to monitor the technology and digital space impact in Morocco and contribute to facing the digital technology challenges on human rights at the national, regional and international levels.