MAP
Rabat -The UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan E. Méndez, said, Saturday in Rabat, that a human rights culture is growing in Morocco, and welcomed the establishment of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) which is “the most important institutional aspect of this emerging culture. ”
“I can say that a culture of human rights is growing. The different authorities I met have demonstrated political will, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights to build an institutional culture that prohibits and prevents torture and ill-treatment,” Méndez told the press after his visit to Morocco (Sept. 15-22).
He added that “the establishment of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) is the most important institutional aspect of this emerging culture. Efforts made by the CNDH and its various regional offices in order to continue to sensitize the authorities and civil society and to promote the protection of human rights are already bearing fruit.”
“The CNDH is an independent, highly credible body and its reports are of great moral weight. It can become an effective mechanism for monitoring and mediation between the state and its citizens if its recommendations were implemented in good faith. I encourage all parties to fully commit to strengthening this institution,” he said.
The UN official noted that the new culture has arisen mainly due to the enormous efforts made by Morocco to address past abuses.
He also welcomed the new July 2011 Constitution which has introduced positive changes to the regulatory framework.
“The situation on the ground regarding the practice of torture has generally improved since the last decades during which disappearances, secret detentions and torture were widespread,” said the UN official.
He also extended thanks to the Moroccan authorities for their full cooperation with him during his visit, “particularly with regard to unrestricted access to all places of detention and unimpeded access to the detainees.”