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Rabat – Amina Bouayach, the President of Morocco’s Human Rights Council (CNDH), joined in the celebration today of the remarkable strides the country made in addressing historical injustices through its Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) in transitional justice.
Bouayach spoke today during an event held in Geneva on the sidelines of the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Organized by CNDH in partnership with the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, the event aimed to explore the connections between transitional justice, human rights reforms, and the quest for sustainable reconciliation.
Titled “Bridging justice, reform, and memory in transitional justice processes,” the event convened stakeholders to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Morocco’s Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER).
Speaking at the event, Bouayach highlighted that Morocco’s approach to confronting its past has led to the investigation of abuses, the offering of reparations, and a commitment to human rights reforms.
“This year, we honor a journey…a journey of a country that 20 years ago made the choice to fully reconcile with its past,” she said, adding that the anniversary is a reminder of Morocco’s commitment to confronting historical injustices.
The panel discussion emphasized the critical role of transitional justice in addressing past abuses and ensuring justice for victims. Bouayach elaborated on Morocco’s steps in this domain, noting, “Morocco took an unprecedented step, not just in the region, but globally…it’s become one of the few nations to voluntarily confront its past, investigating abuses and offering reparations.”
The CNDH President added that, in addition to honoring the victims, this commitment to acknowledging historical suffering fosters a culture of accountability and reform and lays the foundation for a more equitable society.
One of the key messages Bouayach shared during the event was the recognition that transitional justice is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach. “Context, dynamic and final outcome matter,” she said, explaining that each country must tailor its process of reconciliation to its unique circumstances. She argued that Morocco’s journey exemplifies this tailored approach.
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Bouayach added that the impact of Morocco’s transitional justice efforts is evident in the progress made in human rights protection. “Since then, no systematic cases of torture, enforced disappearances or other major violations have been registered,” she said.
Preservation of collective memory emerged as another critical theme during the discussions. “Preserving collective memories is crucial in any transitional justice,” Bouayach stated .“It does not only honor the victims, but also strengthen society’s resilience.”
She further noted that Morocco has made substantial efforts in this regard, with plans to open or reopen several memory sites and publish victim biographies. The CNDH has also focused on digitizing and preserving archives of transitional justice to ensure that the stories of victims are accessible and remembered.
The event also spotlighted the transformative constitutional reforms initiated in 2011 under King Mohammed VI, where transitional justice was recognized as a central pillar.
Bouayach stated, “When his Majesty the King announced constitutional reform…he made transitional justice recommendations as a central pillar grounded in Morocco’s international human rights commitments.”
“Reform is a journey, not a destiny,” the CNDH president said, summarizing Morocco’s experience.
Also present at the event, Omar Zniber, President of the UN Human Rights Council, echoed the importance of this commemoration. He contextualized the discussions within the global landscape of human rights, noting that “conflicts worldwide continue to severely impact the enjoyment of basic human rights.”
Zniber acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by many countries, pointing out that “the military budgets are rising… leading to forced displacement and widespread human rights violations.” This, he said, stresses the continuing need for accountability and justice on a global scale.
