During the review of Morocco’s initial report on the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances in Geneva, Abdellatif Ouahbi, Minister of Justice, announced that the chapter of human rights violations in Morocco is now closed. He attributed this achievement to Morocco’s transitional justice process, which has made such violations “a matter of the past.”
In his opening remarks at the interactive dialogue with the Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED), Ouahbi stressed that Morocco’s constitutional advances, legislative reforms, and institutional changes have successfully criminalized all forms of human rights violations, with safeguards in place to ensure they’re not repeated.
He also emphasized that no cases of enforced disappearances have been recorded since the end of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission’s mandate and the adoption of the 2011 Constitution.
Ouahbi underscored the significance of this interactive dialogue with the CED, a first of its kind, calling it a “crucial moment” in Morocco’s continued engagement with international treaty bodies. He also reaffirmed Morocco’s dedication to cooperating closely with the committee to further implement the Convention’s provisions.
In his speech, the minister further emphasized Morocco’s leadership as one of the first nations to draft and sign the Convention. Additionally, Morocco has been actively involved in global efforts to thwart enforced disappearances, having joined the Global Initiative for the Convention alongside France, the United States, Argentina, and Samoa.
Looking ahead, Ouahbi highlighted Morocco’s involvement in organizing the first World Congress on Enforced Disappearances, scheduled for January 2025 in Geneva. He expressed hope that the event will encourage more states to join the Convention and contribute to ending enforced disappearances worldwide.
Morocco was also among the first nations to establish the National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (MNIRF), represented by the Inter-ministerial Delegation for Human Rights (DIDH) since 2011. According to Ouahbi, this mechanism has strengthened Morocco’s cooperation with the UN human rights systems.
The minister also shed light on shared global challenges, particularly enforced disappearances related to migration and transnational crime, which require international and regional cooperation. He emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of human rights through education, adopting a gender-sensitive approach to addressing violations, and ensuring women’s participation in transitional justice processes.
In addition to Morocco, Norway and Ukraine are also presenting their initial reports during the 27th session of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, as part of the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), held from September 23 to October 4.
Morocco’s delegation is constituted of representatives from several institutions, including both houses of parliament, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Expatriates, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Inter-Ministerial Delegation for Human Rights, the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration, the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor, and the General Directorate for National Security.
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