Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), emphasized that the digital space significantly contributes to broadening freedom of expression and introducing new forms of public dialogue, which have become pivotal tools for holding public policies accountable and promoting democratic participation. She further highlighted that, since 2019, the CNDH has prioritized addressing emerging issues driven by rapid global transformations as a key element of its strategic vision.
This was part of her statement delivered on her behalf by Mr. Mohamed El Hachimi, Director of Studies at the CNDH, at the seminar titled “Human Rights in Morocco and the Challenges of Emerging Questions,” held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, in Rabat, Morocco.

She also noted that this focus reflects the CNDH’s awareness of the profound impact of these transformations on the human rights framework and their direct connection to the evolution of rights and freedoms practices. She added that the CNDH has made a clear distinction between traditional issues linked to demands for access to fundamental rights and emerging issues imposed by current global developments, which pose threats to the exercise of rights and freedoms. In this context, the CNDH has prioritized addressing several issues involving unprecedented legal and ethical complexities, requiring renewed and comprehensive approaches to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights in a changing national and international context.

Ms. Bouayach highlighted the challenges posed by bioethics and human rights, describing it as an area where science, ethics, and law intersect, particularly in light of advancements in biomedical research and modern medical technologies. She emphasized the need to establish an independent, multidisciplinary national committee to evaluate issues related to biomedical research and provide recommendations. Furthermore, she called for a review of the current legislative framework to address emerging issues such as organ donation, euthanasia, and combating human organ trafficking. These sensitive matters, she noted, require enhanced societal awareness and an inclusive public dialogue to ensure the protection of human dignity and respect of bioethical principles in line with international standards.

In the same context, Ms. Bouayach stressed the need for a national legal framework to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in line with a human rights-based approach, particularly in sensitive sectors such as health and education. She also called for proactive measures to mitigate risks arising from certain digital applications and their negative impacts, mainly on children and vulnerable groups, while ensuring a balance between technological advancement and the requirements of protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.

Download Chairperson Statement (Available in Arabic)