High-level international conference on the practices of national mechanisms for the prevention of torture in Africa
The international conference on “The Practices of National Mechanisms for the Prevention of Torture (NPMs) in Africa: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities” was launched on Friday 23 June 2023, and will last two days in Marrakech, Morocco.
High-level national, African, international and UN human rights defenders took part in this event, which was organized by the National Human Rights Council /National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (CNDH/NPM) in cooperation with the Human Rights Commission of South Africa (SAHRC).
At the opening session of the conference, Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, emphasized that this meeting constitutes an opportunity to share and cross-fertilize the points of view of various stakeholders to conduct coherent and structured actions to prevent and combat all forms and types of torture.
She also added that this conference reflects the ongoing commitment to develop and consolidate an optimal preventive approach based on cooperation and sharing experiences, as stipulated in the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).
Ms. Bouayach considered that Morocco's ratification of the OPCAT was the culmination of a significant process, great mobilization of civil society and strong advocacy. The ratification of this protocol was also supported by the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) and the recommendation to open all places of deprivation of liberty for visits, etc.
Mr. Andrew Christoffel Nissen, Commissioner, SAHRC/NPM, stated that “We have a shared commitment and desire with the CNDH to create a space for a continental agenda on the prevention of torture.” He acknowledged the role of the CNDH and considered this event an opportunity for the family of NHRIs and NPMs to share insights on the effective prevention of all forms of torture.
For his part, Mr. Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, President of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, highly welcomed the initiative of organizing this weighty meeting. He said that it is an opportunity to search for possible ways and solutions to achieve better prevention of torture, noting that only 23 African countries have ratified the OPCAT. 15 of them have established an NPM.
Mr. Mohammed Dkhissi, Judicial Police Central Director, General Directorate for National Security in Morocco (DGSN), hailed the level of “cooperation” and “assistance” provided by the CNDH and NPM, their support for the work of the security services and their respect for fundamental rights and freedoms.
Within the same context, Mr. Joseph Whittal, President of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Ghana, considered that the genuine cooperation between the CNDH and the DGSN is a best and “unique” practice… It is an experience that must be inspiring for stakeholders to enhance the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, he added.
This international conference is organized as part of the CNDH celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It aims to address strategies that will enhance networking opportunities and encourage cooperation to advance the effectiveness of African NPMs.
Download the CNDH Chairperson statement (Available in Arabic)