National Human Rights Council

Description

The National Human Rights Council is a national institution for the protection and promotion of human rights in Morocco. It is a pluralist and independent body, created in March 2011 to replace the Advisory Council on Human Rights that had existed since 1990.

The Council examines all matters relating to the defence and protection of human rights and freedoms, and works to ensure their full exercise for individuals and groups, in line with national and international human rights standards. A 2018 law reorganised the Council in line with the Paris Principles governing national human rights institutions, and it now runs a national mechanism for the prevention of torture, one for complaints from child victims of rights violations, and one for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

It also has 12 regional human rights commissions that help carry out its work at the regional level. The Council monitors and follows up on the human rights situation nationally and regionally, investigates violations and issues reports with recommendations, and examines complaints submitted by those affected. It visits places of detention, prisons, childcare and reintegration centres, social welfare institutions, psychiatric hospitals and holding centres for foreigners in an irregular situation, to monitor conditions and treatment.

The Council advises the government and parliament on human rights matters, reviewing laws and draft laws, and encourages Morocco to ratify international human rights conventions and implement recommendations from United Nations treaty bodies. It also promotes international humanitarian law and cooperates with the International Committee of the Red Cross. It carries out independent and impartial observation of elections, and submits an annual report on the state of human rights in Morocco to the King, along with special and thematic reports.