Note on the Colloquium Organized by the Justice, Legislation, Human Rights, and Liberties Committee on “Human Rights in Morocco and the Challenges of Emerging Issues”

The Justice, Legislation, Human Rights, and Liberties Committee at the House of Representatives, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, the National Human Rights Council and the Inter-Ministerial Delegation for Human Rights, organized a colloquium on Wednesday December 18, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Seat of the House, on: “Human rights in Morocco and the Challenges of Emerging Issues”.

The colloquium, which lasted around five hours, was attended by Mr. Abdellatif Ouahbi, the Minister of Justice, as well as representatives of several national institutions working in the field of human rights, in addition to eminent professors, researchers, and representatives of civil society associations interested in human rights in Morocco. 

The colloquium was inaugurated by an address by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, delivered on his behalf by Rep. Mohamed Sabbari, First Deputy Speaker of the House, in which he underlined Morocco's awareness of emerging human rights challenges and issues, and the country's success in taking a proactive and creative approach to address these challenges and transformations. 

Next, Ms. Fatima Berkane, Secretary General of the Inter-Ministerial Delegation for Human Rights, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Justice, highlighted Morocco's commitment to human rights, as a strategic choice of the State and society, and the efforts made by the Kingdom, in application of the High Royal Directives and under the Constitution, to enshrine rights and freedoms. Ms. Berkane also highlighted the challenges posed by emerging issues such as digital technology and artificial intelligence, as well as environmental and climate issues, calling for the protection of citizens' rights and the promotion of a culture of human rights as sacred values in Moroccan society. 

For his part, Mr. Mohamed Hachimi, speaking on behalf of the President of the National Human Rights Council, reviewed the new concept of human rights and the need to preserve Morocco's achievements in applying the two previous generations of rights. He also highlighted the challenges posed by emerging issues at the national and international levels. 

Next, the Chairperson of the Justice, Legislation, Human Rights, and Liberties Committee, Rep. Said Baaziz, underlined the importance of the theme, its objectives and context, stressing the need to move on to a new generation of human rights, particularly in the light of developments in societies and countries, as well as relations between various national and international institutions, in the light of contemporary technological developments and their impact on individuals and societies. 

This colloquium included two scientific sessions, in addition to the inaugural session, which addressed the following themes:

First scientific session: 

“Human rights and the challenges of artificial intelligence,” presented by Mr. Abid El Halimi on behalf of Mr. Hicham Melati, Director of Criminal Affairs, Pardons, and Crime Monitoring at the Ministry of Justice. 

“The role of the Public Ministry in protecting rights and freedoms in the face of emerging issues,” presented by Mr. Mohamed El Bakkali, Head of the Human Rights Complaints Unit at the Public Ministry. 

“Emerging issues in human rights: approaches and challenges in public policy-making,” presented by Mr. Ahmed Ajoun, Dean of the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences, Kenitra. 

“Human Rights based approach as an entry to address emerging issues,” presented by Mr. Mohamed El Hachimi, Director of Studies and Documentation at the National Human Rights Council. 

“The new human rights challenges in the digital world,” presented by Mr. Amine Mounir Alaoui, member of the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council. 

Second scientific session:

“Human rights and emerging issues: a reading of Morocco's approach to interact with the UN human rights mechanisms,” presented by Ms. Fatima Berkane, Secretary General of the Inter-Ministerial Delegation for Human Rights. 

“Human rights in the face of digital challenges and artificial intelligence,” presented by Mr. Abdelhafid Edmino, Professor at the Rabat-Souissi Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences. 

“The challenges of digital service rights and their impact on the effectiveness of human rights,” presented by Ms. Najwa Achargui, Head of the Studies and Reports Unit at the Ombudsman of the Kingdom. 

“Protection of rights and liberties in Morocco: A pillar for development and democracy,” presented by Mr. Othman Nourawi, Executive Director of the Human Rights Institute of the Moroccan Bar Association. 

“Migration, asylum, and human rights,” presented by Mr. Hassan El Idrissi, President of the Moroccan Human Rights Organization.

The debate was opened to participants, whose interventions focused on the content of these emerging issues in their relation to the challenges facing the concepts of human rights and its universal specificities. Some of the participants put forward recommendations and demands aimed at positioning Morocco as a key player in meeting these challenges imposed by societal and technological transformations at both national and international levels. 

The event aroused keen interest among the researchers and experts present, who followed most of the speeches attentively and enriched the debate with their observations, questions, and proposals on the theme.