Human Rights Council

The creation of the National Human Rights Council as a successor to the Consultative Council for Human Rights, will ensure the consolidation, protection and extension of existing human rights and democratic freedoms in Morocco.  The National Human Rights Council is a new, independent, elected body, with extensive powers and a nation-wide remit.

It will monitor and assess human rights nationally, consult with interested parties and initiate discussions.  It has the power to instigate investigations, summon witnesses and intervene if it believes human rights may be breached.  It will mediate and negotiate to prevent human rights abuses.  Amongst its new wide-ranging powers, It has the authority to visit detention centres and prisons unannounced and to improve prisoners' living conditions.

It is also charged with examining Moroccan legislation to ensure its compliance with international human rights treaties and law and will exert pressure on the government to follow its recommendations.  The National Human Rights Council will liaise with national associations, international non-governmental organisations, the United Nations and organise national, regional and international fora on matters relating to human rights.

The National Human Rights Council is also tasked with communicating and liaising with citizens, administrative organisations and regional bodies.

It will produce an annual report which will be presented to Parliament.  It will meet four times a year, with additional meetings called if two-thirds  of the members vote in favour or if the President calls a meeting in a case of emergency.

Its membership will comprise those with knowledge and expertise in human rights, from a broad-base of society, including associations, trade unions, parliamentarians, academics, lawyers, philosophers and Moroccan experts who have worked for the United Nations, etc.  Non-governmental organisations, Parliamentarians, religious bodies, etc will also nominate candidates for election to the National Human Rights Council.  Regional and female representation will also be included.

Morocco's establishment of the National Human Rights Council conforms with the Paris Principles, which guarantee the ability of national institutions involved with the protection and promotion of human rights to examine freely all relevant matters, obtain all relevant information, documents, etc and to communicate its views and recommendations directly to the public and press.  

His Majesty King Mohammed VI appointed M. Driss El Yazami as President of the National Human Rights Council and M.Mohamed Essabar as Secretary General.  M. Driss El Yazami is a former Secretary General of the International  Federation of Human Rights and has a distinguished record of serving on international human rights bodies.  M. Mohamed Esssabar is a former lecturer in education and sociology and a barrister.  In his youth he was an agitator and activist and served six months in prison.

March 2011