Marrakech Declaration for Preventing Torture in Africa: Establishment of African NPMs Network
The high-level International Conference on the Practices of National Preventive Mechanisms against Torture (NPMs) in Africa, organized by the National Human Rights Council/National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (CNDH/NPM) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on 23-24 June 2023, culminated in the adoption of the Marrakech Declaration.
This Declaration established the African NPMs Network, as called for by Ms. Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson, in her opening statement.
Within this context, she noted that establishing this Network demonstrates the NPMs’ commitment to working together towards achieving the desired outcomes, developing advocacy for human rights and providing recommendations to African and UN human rights mechanisms.
The Network, with its Permanent Secretariat based in Morocco, will be chaired by the CNDH/NPM for the initial two-year term. The SAHRC/NPM will serve as the Network’s Vice-President during this period and will chair the subsequent term.
The Network's missions include facilitating collaboration among NPMs and coordinating their regional activities. It will also contribute to strengthening the African NPMs’ capacities, encourage technical support and share best practices.
More than 70 participants took part in this Conference, including representatives of 18 NPMs and national human rights institutions participated in person and online in this event. They addressed the legal and institutional challenges and developments related to preventing torture in Africa and discussed appropriate solutions.