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Beni Mellal – Amina Bouayach, the President of Morocco’s National Human Rights Council (CNDH), was awarded the prestigious North-South Prize by the Council of Europe at a ceremony held in the Portuguese Parliament in Lisbon on Tuesday.
Upon receiving the prize from the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the President of the Portuguese Assembly, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, Bouayach delivered a powerful speech.
“The honor you bestow upon me today is not merely a recognition of my individual efforts in defending human rights, but, I believe, a testament to the substantial progress made by my country in promoting dignity and freedom,” Bouayach said.
She also noted the significance of the award coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, which she described as “a pioneering example of transitional justice in the Arab and Muslim world” and “a unique experience worldwide.”
Bouayach highlighted the Moroccan approach to human rights, characterized by “constant interaction between civil society and the state” and marked by “consensus among all stakeholders rather than compromise, innovation in developing the most suitable responses to the national context, and inclusiveness of all actors, in a participatory approach that includes the 12 regions of the Kingdom.”
She emphasized that the successful implementation of structural human rights reforms in Morocco “is a testament to the collective effort of all involved,” adding that “the establishment of the Rule of Law is a societal project that engages entire nations.”
Bouayach also stressed the importance of the right to life, calling it “this original, supreme, and absolute right, to which all other rights are subordinate and from which all other rights derive.” She urged for a unified commitment to the shared values of equality, solidarity, and non-discrimination, stating: “We must strive towards a unified commitment to our shared values of equality, solidarity, and non-discrimination.”
Read also: Morocco Strengthens Human Rights Ties with Council of Europe
The CNDH chairperson is the first Moroccan woman and the third Moroccan to receive the North-South Prize, following King Mohammed VI’s advisor Andre Azoulay and the late former Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi.
The Council of Europe awarded the prize to Bouayach in recognition of her commitment to promoting human rights, gender equality, and the prevention of torture at regional and continental levels. The prize also honors her political advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty and efforts to reinforce civil society structures in the Mediterranean region and North-South cooperation based on common democratic values.
The North-South Prize has been awarded annually since 1995 to two candidates, including activists, public figures, or organizations, in recognition of their exceptional commitment to promoting North-South solidarity.
Previous recipients include high-level personalities such as former presidents, senior officials, and distinguished figures like Kofi Annan, the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Suzanne Jabbour, the current chair of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture.
Earlier this month, Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to advancing human rights during the 2nd International Seminar on National Mechanisms for the Implementation and Reporting on Human Rights in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita emphasized the country’s dedication to human rights protection and promotion, in line with King Mohammed VI’s vision of a modern, just, and peaceful society.
Bourita highlighted the King’s initiatives, such as the family code, the National Initiative for Human Development, and the generalization of social protection, as well as Morocco’s active policy of positive interaction with international human rights mechanisms, as a testament to the country’s unwavering commitment to human rights.
Notably, Morocco was elected to the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council for 2024 last January, with overwhelming support from the council members, reflecting the international community’s trust in the country’s commitment to human rights.
