Ms. Amina Bouayash notes the significant international interest given to the CNDH-DGSN strategic partnership

On Monday 4 September 2023, Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), and Mr. Mohamed Dkhissi, Central Director of the Judicial Police at the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), announced the launch of the Second Training Session for officials in charge of guarding persons held under custody.

In her statement at the opening of this training session, which extends from 4 to 8 September 2023, in Rabat, Morocco, Ms. Amina Bouayach noted positively the significant international interest given to the strategic partnership between the CNDH and the DGSN, inter alia, from the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) and international/regional NGOs in terms of the implementation and ways to share it at the African level.

CNDH Chairperson also highlighted the importance of the regular meetings organized by both institutions not only to combat and prevent torture but to confirm the Kingdom’s commitment to implementing human rights standards.

Ms. Bouayach indicated that the organization of this training session reflects the joint commitment to sustainable institutional cooperation between the CNDH and the DGSN on preventive standards and practices.

Speaking about the NPM visits to places of deprivation of liberty (53 visits from April 2020 to July 2023), Ms. Bouayach noted the positive interaction of the DGSN services with the NPM recommendations and observations (around 80 to 90% were taken into consideration).

She also announced on this occasion the launch of regular meetings with officials in charge of places of deprivation of liberty to follow up on the NPM recommendations, in cooperation with the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR), the DGSN, and the Royal Gendarmerie, noting that other meetings are scheduled with the remaining relevant sectors are included in the agenda of this initiative.

For his part, Mr. Dkhissi welcomed the CNDH’s initiative to organize this training session for the benefit of DGSN officials in charge of places of deprivation of liberty.

He highlighted the DGSN law enforcement officials’ commitment and their professionalism in performing their duties. He said that they conduct their missions with full respect for citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms.

Mr. Dkhissi also welcomed the DGSN-CNDH strategic and operational partnership as it constitutes an exemplary model at the Arab, African and international levels. He stressed that the DGSN is committed to respecting human rights international and national legislation, implementing the recommendations of the CNDH and the NPM, and respecting the human dignity of persons in custody.

Officials from CNDH and DGSN facilitated this training session, focusing on several key topics, including Human Rights Principles and Practices, Morocco's Conventional Practice and International Commitments, Constitutional and Legal Requirements - Principle of the Supremacy of International Conventions and Harmonization of Legislation, Rights and Conditions of Individuals in Custody, Monitoring, Preventive Measures and Redress Bodies, and International Bodies.

Eighteen officials benefited from this training session representing different Moroccan regions.

CNDH and DGSN initiated this partnership by organizing an international symposium entitled "Standards and Practices for the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment during Arrest, Interrogation, and Custody" on Tuesday 20 September 2022, at the Royal Institute of Police in Rabat, Morocco.

They also organized the inaugural training session for around 20 police officials (from different Moroccan regions) responsible for places of deprivation of liberty, from 26 to 30 September 2022, at the Rabat - Driss Benzekri Institute for Human Rights, Morocco.