Rabat – Morocco’s National Human Rights Council (CNDH) has defended the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission amid renewed public debate over its work, saying its achievements should be recognized while acknowledging that its shortcomings remain open to discussion.
In a statement following remarks about the commission during a session of the House of Councillors on October 21, the council said discussing the experience was a legitimate right and that assessing its achievements and limitations was part of democratic practice.
During the session, Social Democratic Movement leader Mahmoud Archane rejected allegations linking him to torture during Morocco’s Years of Lead and challenged his critics to a televised debate to determine “who is the executioner.”
He also referred to his critics as a “fifth column.” His statements drew criticism from five Moroccan human rights organizations, which accused him of provoking victims and their families and undermining efforts to address past human rights violations.
In response, CNDH stressed the need for accuracy and respect for victims, warning against criticism that dismisses the commission’s entire record. The council said the debate “goes beyond differences over how to interpret the past” and concerns “the place of human rights in the country’s present and future.”
Established in January 2004, the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) was created to address serious human rights violations committed in Morocco between 1956 and 1999.
Its mandate included establishing the truth, recognizing victims, providing reparations, preserving collective memory, and recommending reforms to prevent future violations.
The CNDH said the commission’s creation resulted from royal initiative, efforts by human rights organizations, demands from victims and their families, and civil society engagement.
Victims’ rights remain central
The council stressed that victims’ rights should not depend on their political views, beliefs, or geographical background.
“Victims’ rights do not depend on their political, intellectual, or geographical affiliations,” the statement said, adding that recognition of their suffering should not be subject to political divisions.
It said this principle also applies to cases involving Morocco’s southern provinces, where human dignity and the right to justice should remain central regardless of political circumstances.
The council also highlighted the different effects of human rights violations on women and men, as well as the suffering experienced by families and local communities.
It said reparations should go beyond financial compensation to include restoring dignity, addressing social and administrative barriers, providing health support, and helping affected communities access development opportunities.
Historical debate should remain open
The CNDH acknowledged that the commission faced difficulties accessing information and dealing with different accounts and interpretations of historical events.
However, it stressed that the commission was never intended to establish a final version of history or end historical research.
“Understanding historical and political contexts helps explain the conditions in which violations occurred and draw lessons from them,” the statement said.
It added that disagreements over historical interpretations should not undermine victims’ rights to truth and justice.
The council called for greater access to archives, preservation of testimonies, and conditions that allow independent research while protecting victims’ privacy.
Reforms and accountability
The CNDH said recognizing the state’s responsibility for past violations was an important institutional step toward acknowledging the harm caused and fulfilling obligations toward victims and society.
However, it clarified that this recognition should not be understood as a comprehensive historical judgment on every event or individual involved. It also stressed that the commission was a non-judicial body whose responsibilities should remain distinct from those of courts and historical researchers.
The council highlighted several areas requiring continued reform, including judicial independence, security sector governance, protection of freedoms, preservation of archives and collective memory, and human rights education.
The commission published its final report in 2006, with responsibility for following up on its recommendations initially assigned to the Advisory Council on Human Rights, the predecessor of the current CNDH.
The council said it continues to monitor implementation, assess progress, and identify areas requiring further action.
It also pointed to international recognition of Morocco’s transitional justice experience, including references in United Nations reports, which highlighted the commission’s focus on victims, public consultations, and national expertise.
Concluding its statement, the CNDH called on political, institutional, and civil society actors to approach discussions about the commission through objective research, accurate facts, and respect for victims.
“Reconciliation is an ongoing process,” the council said, adding that protecting victims’ dignity is a national responsibility, establishing the truth is a right, and preventing future violations remains a permanent obligation of the state and its institutions.
