URU, Alm.del - 2017-18 - Bilag 124: Henvendelse af 7. februar 2018 fra Dansk Marokkansk Råd om protest mod henvendelse om menneskerettighedskrænkelser i Marokko

Udenrigsudvalget 2017-18
URU Alm.del Bilag 124
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Morocco’s Commitment to Universal Human Rights:

The kingdom of Morocco has made significant advances over the last few decades, becoming a leader on

human rights in the MENA Region.

► Our Association express its “deep protest and deep indignation following the article about “Morocco Human

Rights Violations and Children Abuse History” written by an unknown person Abe skander and has been

published in the website of the Danish parliament. This article testified to a proven lack of knowledge about

Morocco’s achievements in human rights the members of this Association condemns all those Allegations.

►«As the first truth commission in the region, Morocco’s Equity and Reconciliation Commission sought to

address the legacy of more than 40 years of repression and human rights violations known as the “Years of

Lead.” The IER was set up in 2004. The independent investigative body shed light on worst human rights

violations in Morocco from 1956 to 1999, specially enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention and torture, and

arranging reparations for victims and their families. For the kingdom of Morocco, Transitional justice is the full

range of processes and mechanisms associated with a society’s attempt to come to terms with a legacy of large-

scale past abuses, in order to ensure accountability, serve justice and achieve reconciliation. The king

Mohammed VI, political parties, victims and NGOs unanimously voiced their irreversible commitment to

reinforce rule of law and total respect of human rights.

These steps made it possible for the kingdom of Morocco

to turn the page on past violations.

The Commission represents a groundbreaking approach for the entire region

and is exceptional in many aspects. It was the only Truth Commission to ever have possessed the power to grant

compensation directly to victims and the first truth commission in the MENA region.

During its mandate, the

IER held seven live, televises, public hearings in six regions to establish the historical truth.

After many public

hearings and testimonies, 23,676 Moroccans received compensation totalling $193 million. The kingdom of

Morocco has made considerable improvements since the repressive years of lead. Now the kingdom of Morocco

has become a leading model and reference for many MENA region and African countries.

The Commission

submitted its final report to king in November 2005, recommending community reparations in 11 regions. The

report also included policy recommendations and emphasized the need to strengthen constitutional protection of

human rights, as well as other legal and judicial protections:

The kingdom of Morocco has been conducted

several trainings on human rights for security forces and adopted a Justice Reform to consolidate the

independence of the courts: raise ethical standards within the justice system, and strengthen protections for

human rights and freedoms. A series of constitutional amendments adopted in 2011 advanced civil rights and

criminalized torture and other serious human rights violations.

The role of Morocco human rights organizations

and victim s groups was decisive. They seized the political opening and exert the Government to embrace a

comprehensive transitional justice framework, instead of only a reparations program. Their goal was to break the

silence about Morocco s past

►The kingdom of Morocco adopted a new constitution in 2011 that allowed it to take a huge step forwards in

terms of upholding human rights. In 2011, the kingdom of Morocco replaced the existing Consultative Council

of Human Rights (CCDH) with National Human Rights Council (CNDH), enshrined in the Constitution as a

fully autonomous body with increased investigative and monitoring powers. The CNDH has the power to

investigate any allegations of human rights violations, act as an early warning mechanism to prevent human

rights violations; Inspect prison conditions; Establish regional authorities for protecting human rights; and

(www.cndh.org.ma/.../report-equity-and-reconciliation-commission-ier)

https://www.ictj.org/news/morocco-still-model-justice-mena-questions-remain

URU, Alm.del - 2017-18 - Bilag 124: Henvendelse af 7. februar 2018 fra Dansk Marokkansk Råd om protest mod henvendelse om menneskerettighedskrænkelser i Marokko

Examine and make recommendations on how to bring legislation in line with the Constitution, international

human rights treaties, and international law. Since March 2011, the CNDH has been active in monitoring human

rights at the local, regional, and national levels. CNDH, Morocco’s active civil society, and reform-minded

government have worked together to address ongoing human rights challenges through both judicial and

legislative mechanisms. In the past year alone, the kingdom of Morocco has made significant advances in its

human rights policies in the areas of migration, women’s rights, and the court system. The UN Security Council

highlighted Morocco’s achievements in human rights, notably through the National Human Rights Council and

its branches in Laayoune and Dakhla, as well as the interaction of the Kingdom with the special procedures of

the UN Human Rights Council. Through the combined efforts of CNDH, Moroccan civil society, and

government leaders, Morocco made significant human rights advances in the areas of migration, women’s rights,

and the court system.

. The CNDH was entrusted with following up on the IER s recommendations. CNDH is

expected to issue a final report on the implementation of recommendations and unresolved cases in 2016.

►Morocco’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other cruel, inhuman or

degradation treatments “is a historic turning point in the reform process initiated by the Kingdom in the field of

human rights.” Through this step in the field of human rights, the kingdom of Morocco becomes the 76th

country in the world and the 4th in Middle East to join the optional protocol convention. The kingdom of

Morocco is preparing to launch a National Prevention Mechanism against torture as part of the implementation

of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). In this regard, The Kingdom is working in

collaboration with Danish institute against Torture “Dignity” and others international bodies. The kingdom of

Morocco has demonstrated its significant role, both nationally and internationally, in terms of human rights

through several initiatives, such as its coordination with four countries, including the kingdom of Denmark and

Indonesia, entitled “Initiative for universal adherence to the Convention against torture”. As a reminder, The

Convention against Torture Initiative (CTI) was launched by the kingdom of Morocco and the kingdom of

Denmark in March 2014 and was immediately backed by Chili, Ghana and Indonesia.

►Since April 2008, the kingdom of Morocco has been submitted its report on human rights for the cycle of the

Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a regular procedure to monitor countries’ human rights records based on

reports by governments and NGOs.

Morocco accepted almost all the recommendations it received (11 out of 13,

i.e. nearly 85% of them) and rejected none. Since 2008, the kingdom of Morocco adopted a global approach to

follow-up its review going beyond the 11 recommendations accepted, by adopting a National Action Plan for

Democracy and Human Rights. Morocco is therefore amongst the first countries in the world to have followed

up on the recommendation of the 1993 Vienna Conference to put on place such Plan of Action. It is also the 2nd

Mediterranean country and the 27th in the world that implemented this recommendation. On September 2017,

Morocco fully supported 191 out of 244 recommendations.

►Praise

for Human Rights Progress in Morocco: The steps taken by the kingdom of Morocco in the

consolidation of the rule of law and respect for human rights no longer need to be demonstrated and are today

recognized and welcomed at all levels by the European Union

, the USA, the UN and the international

community as a whole.

→ At the conclusion of a May 2013 visit to Morocco, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Navi Pillay stated, “Morocco is undergoing an important transition and is setting high standards through its

Constitution and laws. In my exchanges with the authorities, including His Majesty King Mohammed VI and

various ministers, it was clear that there is the political will at the highest levels to continue efforts to set firm

human rights foundation for Moroccan society.”

(www.cndh.org.ma/an).

https://www.ictj.org/news/morocco-still-model-justice-mena-questions-remain

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/MENARegion/Pages/MAIndex.aspx

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_PRES-07-178_en.htm (13-14-15-16)

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14652&LangID=E

URU, Alm.del - 2017-18 - Bilag 124: Henvendelse af 7. februar 2018 fra Dansk Marokkansk Råd om protest mod henvendelse om menneskerettighedskrænkelser i Marokko

→ In a statement made at an April 2014 Congressional hearing on US-Morocco relations, Deputy Assistant

Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department William Roebuck stated, “We are pleased to

see this commitment made concrete in the Moroccan government’s initiative to reform the Military Code of

Justice and to exempt civilians from trial by military tribunals through a draft law which has moved to

Parliament for approval. We have also remarked on the growing role of the National Council on Human Rights

(CNDH) as a credible and proactive defender of human rights, and are encouraged by the Council of

Government’s decision to strengthen the CNDH by ensuring that government agencies address complaints

directed to it. Both of these measures are important steps forward in strengthening the protection of human rights

in Morocco and in realizing the promise of the 2011 Constitution.”

►The kingdom of Morocco is a signatory

to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the

International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture, the

Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination

against Women. The Kingdom of Morocco regularly hosts UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteurs

and

independent human rights experts.

https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-hearing-u-s-policy-toward-morocco/

http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/TreatyBodyExternal/Treaty.aspx?CountryID=117&Lang=EN

http://spinternet.ohchr.org/_Layouts/SpecialProceduresInternet/ViewCountryVisits.aspx?Lang=en&country=M