Rabat – 2016 and 2017 marked rollercoaster years in Morocco after several social controversies erupted in the country, including events in Al Hoceima, the Essaouira food stampede, and Jerada’s tragedy. Despite these crises, Driss El Yazami, Chairman of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) believes that Morocco has made significant progress in terms of human and civil rights.
During a conference-debate organized by the Moroccan Embassy in Brussels last, El Yazami examined the evolution of Moroccan human and civil rights following the 2011 constitutional reforms,
During the symposium, titled “Constitution and Human Rights: Where Are We Morocco?” El Yazami described accomplishments of the 2011 constitution as a “manifesto of fundamental rights and freedoms.”.
For El Yazami, the evolution of human rights in Morocco is a process that saw a turning point in the 90s with the government changeover and corresponding emphasis placed on human rights and women. The president of CNDH added that the transitional justice exemplified by the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, strengthened this process. “These steps made it possible for Morocco to turn the page on past violations,” said El Yazami.
Several media outlets and international organizations, including the US-based NGO, Human Rights Watch, have issued reports that question human rights in North African countries, especially in light of the lAl Hoceima demonstrations. Moroccan officials and the CNDH have denounced these human and civil rights allegations
El Yazami pointed to family code reforms and the recognition of Amazigh as an official language as constitutional indicators of the nation’s progress in gender equality and cultural and linguistic plurality.
El Yazami also reaffirmed the CNDH’s commitment as an independent public institution to support the evolution of universal rights and their consecration in Morocco. “Our role is to underscore what is not working and make recommendations to make it work,” stated El Yazami.
Morocco’s Ambassador in Belgium, Mohammed Ameur, explained that this meeting is part of an embassy conference series dedicated to sharing Morocco’s past achievements and future vision with international officials. Journalist and novelist Nadia Dala chaired the conference, which was also attended by Belgian politicians and officials, as well as the Moroccan Ambassador to the EU, Ahmed Reda Chami.
