CELEBRATING CULTURE AND RIGHT TO CULTURE AT WORLD INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY SOUTH OF MOROCCO

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) celebrates culture and right to culture at the Moussem of Tan Tan, listed by UNESCO, as an intangible heritage of humanity since 2008. The Moussem will be held from 4 to 9 of September 2013. It will be an opportunity to promote cultural rights and the Sahran-Hassani cultural heritage, which is a component of the national cultural identity, under the Moroccan Constitution.

The Council’s publications (reports, memorandums, studies, guidelines, etc.) and more than 100 publications on Sahara will be available throughout. CNDH has scheduled several activities under the heading “Right to culture”: a roundtable on “Saharan intangible cultural heritage: concepts and challenges” and a seminar on cultural policy in the Southern Provinces. CNDH invited several professors, experts and stakeholders specializing in the area to moderate these two activities. A workshop will be held by CNDH to sensitize civil society stakeholders about the necessity for safeguarding, promoting and protecting heritage. An art workshop for children is also scheduled. The Council will screen five films (a documentary, two short movies and two feature movies) dealing with issues related to the Sahara. CNDH’s tent will be a platform to debate on and discuss some books and publications dealing with the Saharan-Hassani culture. A concert will be held to celebrate the Hassani music and tribute will be given to the famous singer Khosseifa, whose album features in the Anthology of Hassani Music, prepared by the Centre of Saharan Studies with CNDH support. The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted on October 17, 2003. Morocco ratified it on July 6, 2003. According to this convention, the “intangible cultural heritage” means “the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.” Each State Party shall (a) take the necessary measures to ensure the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage present in its territory; (b) identify and define the various elements of the intangible cultural heritage present in its territory, with the participation of communities, groups and relevant non-governmental organizations, (c) endeavor, by all appropriate means, to ensure recognition of, respect for, and enhancement of the intangible cultural heritage in society, in particular through (i) educational, awareness-raising and information programs, aimed at the general public, in particular young people; (ii) specific educational and training programs within the communities and groups concerned.

REGIONAL COMMISSION OF TANGIER TAKES PART IN ALLAMA FESTIVAL IN OUED LAOU AND MOQRISSAT FESTIVAL

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Tangier takes part in two local festivals, the first from 18 to 24 of August 2013, in Oued Laou, and the second from 22 to 25 of August 2013, in Moqrissat. Oued Laou Festival will be organized under the heading “Moroccans around the world” and the 3rd Moqrissat Festival under the heading “Cultural and economic heritage as lever for local development”.

This participation is in line with the commission’s plan of action 2013 aiming at promoting the culture of human rights. It will be an opportunity to outreach and communicate with civil society stakeholders and people concerned with cultural and human rights issues in the region.

The Regional Commission of Tangier was officially inaugurated on February 2, 2012. It’s mandated to monitor the situation of human rights at the regional level and to receive complaints about alleged violations of human rights.

The Commission is one of the National Human Rights Council’s 13 regional human rights mechanisms. It is mandated to implement the Council’s programs and projects in the promotion of human rights, in close collaboration with all local stakeholders concerned.

The Commission’s mandate covers the provinces/prefectures of Tangier-Assila, Mdiq-Fnideq, Chefchaoune, Ouazzane, Tétouan, Fahs-Anjra and Larache.

HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS ACTIVITY FOR 100 CHILDREN AT AZLA SUMMER CAMP IN TETOUAN - REGIONAL COMMISSION OF TANGIER

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Tangier organizes a human rights awareness activity targeting 100 children at Azla summer holiday camp, in Tetouan. This activity will held on August 13, 2013, in cooperation with the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Tetouan and Chouaala Association for Education and Culture.

This activity is held in line with commission’s plan of action aiming at promoting the culture of human rights at socialization institutions, including summer holiday camps, where children can learn about human rights and their values and principles. Four workshops are scheduled for this activity: “citizenship and Human rights education”, “environmental education”, “rights and duties”, and “The ballot box”. Poems related to human rights issues will sung/read at the end of the activity.

The Regional Commission of Tangier was officially inaugurated on February 2, 2012. It’s mandated to monitor the situation of human rights at the regional level and to receive complaints about alleged violations of human rights.

The Commission is one of the National Human Rights Council’s 13 regional human rights mechanisms. It is mandated to implement the Council’s programs and projects aiming at promoting human rights, in close collaboration with all local stakeholders concerned.

The Commission’s mandate covers the provinces/prefectures of Tangier-Assila, Mdiq-Fnideq, Chefchaoune, Ouazzane, Tetouan, Fahs-Anjra and Larache.

REGIONAL COMMISSION OF CASABLANCA-SETTAT HOLDS ITS 5th PLENARY SESSION

The regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca-Settat holds its fifth plenary session on Saturday, August 3, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. in its main office in Casablanca.

An activity report (June-July 2013) will be presented. The program of activities to be organized in 2013 within the framework of the commission’s plan of action will be outlined. The commission’s communication plan and other points are scheduled for discussion as well.

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Casablanca-Settat is one of CNDH’s 13 regional human rights mechanisms. Created under Article 28 of the Council’s founding Royal Decree, these commissions are mandated to monitor the situation of human rights at the local levels. They receive and handle complaints about allegations of human rights violations. They implement the Council’s programs and projects related to the promotion of human rights and stimulation of dialogue and thoughts on human rights, in cooperation with the local stakeholders concerned.

REGIONAL COMMISSION OF FEZ-MEKNES HOLDS ITS FIFTH PLENARY SESSION

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Fez-Meknes holds its fifth plenary session, o, Thursday, August 1, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Royal Mirage Hotel in Fez.

To be chaired by Abdelmajid Makni, Chairperson of the commission, the session will be an opportunity to highlight the outcome of the commission since the last plenary session. The plan of action for the second period of 2013 will be discussed. The major orientations of the National Human Rights Council’s program management and execution strategy will outlined during the session.

This session is organized in implementation of the Council’s founding Royal Decree # 1.11.19, dated March 1, 2011, (articles 40 and 43) and its rules of procedures (mainly articles 21 and 22).

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Fez-Meknes is one of CNDH’s 13 regional human rights mechanisms. Created under Article 28 of the Council’s founding Royal Decree, these commissions are mandated to monitor the situation of human rights at the local levels. They receive and handle complaints about allegations of human rights violations. They implement the Council’s programs and projects related to the promotion of human rights and stimulation of dialogue and thoughts on human rights, in cooperation with the local stakeholders concerned.

ROUNDTABLE IN FEZ ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RIGHTS

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Fes-Meknes holds a roundtable on economic and social rights, on Wednesday, July 31, at Royal Mirage Hotel in Fez, at 9:00 p.m.

This roundtable is organized in fulfillment of the National Human Rights Council’s mandate and that of its regional commissions in the area of the human rights protection and promotion, as a strong mechanism to achieve permanent and integrated development. It also reflects the importance of the economic, social and cultural right in the human rights system.

The gathering will shed light on the comparative legislations in the area of economic and social rights. It will discuss economic and social rights in human rights laws. It will highlight the status of economic and social rights in Morocco and how they have evolved.

The roundtable will be chaired by Mr. Abdelmajid Makni, chairperson of the commission. The President and members of the local Council of Scholars, members of the regional commission, professors and experts will take part in this gathering.

Regional Human Rights Commission of Oujda-Figuig holds its 5th plenary session

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Oujda Figuig holds its fifth plenary session on Friday, July 26th, 2013, at its main office in Oujda.

Three points are scheduled for this session: assessment of the activities implemented in 2013, identifying priorities for the next five months (2013), a draft agreement with the Bar Association of Oujda.

The commission of Oujda-Figuig was created on January 10, 2013. It’s mandated to monitor human rights in the provinces of Al Hoceima, Nador and Driouche. It receives and handles complaints related to different allegations of human rights violations.

Chaired Mr. Mohamed Amarti, the Commission implements the National Human Rights Council’s projects and programs in the region, in cooperation with the different local stakeholders.

Regional Human Rights Commission of Al Hoceima-Nador holds its 6th plenary session

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Al Hoceima-Nador holds its sixth plenary session on Friday, July 26th, 2013, at its main office in Al Hoceima.

The session will discuss the different activities of the Commission since its last plenary session. The reports of the Commission’s three thematic commissions (protection of human rights, promotion of human rights, stimulating thoughts and dialogue on human rights and democracy) will be presented. The future activities of the Commission will be outlined during this session.

The commission of Al Hoceima-Nador is one of the National Human Rights Council’s 13 regional human rights mechanisms, created under article 28 of the Council’s founding law. It’s mandated to monitor human rights in the provinces of Al Hoceima, Nador and Driouche. It receives and handles complaints related to different allegations of human rights violations.

Chaired by Ms Souad El Idrissi, the Commission implements the National Human Rights Council’s projects and programs in the region, in cooperation with the different local stakeholders.

COMMISSION OF TANGIER HOLDS ITS FIFTH ORDINARY SESSION

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Tangier holds its fifth ordinary session, on Friday, July 26, 2013, at 3:30 p.m., in Tangier.

This session will be chaired by the Commission’s Chairperson Ms Soulma Taoud. It will discuss the reports of the Commission’s three committees. It will be an opportunity to shed light on and discuss the Commission’s communication strategy, the role of the citizenship and human rights clubs, the meetings to be hold with civil society and the preservation of memory in the region.

The Regional Commission of Tangier was officially inaugurated on February 2, 2012. It’s mandated to monitor the situation of human rights at the regional level and to receive complaints about alleged violations of human rights.

The Commission is one of the National Human Rights Council’s 13 regional human rights mechanisms. It is mandated to implement the Council’s programs and projects in the promotion of human rights, in close collaboration with all local stakeholders concerned.

The Commission’s mandate covers the provinces/prefectures of Tangier-Assila, Mdiq-Fnideq, Chefchaoune, Ouazzane, Tétouan, Fahs-Anjra and Larache.

COMMISSION OF AGADIR HOLDS ITS FIFTH ORDINARY SESSION

The Regional Human Rights Commission of Agadir holds its fifth ordinary session, on Saturday, July 27, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., in its main office in Agadir.

This session is held in implementation of Article 22 of the National Human Rights Council’s Rules of Procedures. The outcome of the first phase of the Human Rights Caravan and preparations for its second and final phase will be highlighted in this session. The commission will also discuss the activities proposed for the second half of 2013 by its three thematic committees: protection of human rights, promotion of human rights and stimulating of thought and dialogue on human rights and democracy.

In addition, the Commission will organize an Iftar in honor of the residents of the shelter and integration center of Tilila Agadir Tikminou.

The Regional Commission of Agadir was officially inaugurated on January 23, 2012. It’s mandated to monitor the situation of human rights at the regional level and to receive complaints about alleged violations of human rights.
The Commission is one of the National Human Rights Council’s 13 regional human rights mechanisms. It’s chaired by Mr. Mohamed Charef. It is mandated to implement the Council’s programs and projects in the promotion of human rights, in close collaboration with all local stakeholders concerned.

The Commission’s mandate covers the provinces/prefectures of Inzegane, Idaoutanane, Agadir, Aït Melloul, Chtouka Ait Baha, Taroudant, Tiznit and Tata.