A high-level online event will be held on 26 January 2021 to mark the official launch of the project "Support to the National Preventive Mechanism Torture in Morocco" implemented in the framework of the broader joint programme between the European Union and the Council of Europe entitled "Support to the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture and to the development of the key role of Parliament in Morocco" (2020-2023), funded by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe.

This restricted event will bring together representatives of the Council of Europe, the European Union, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), representatives of national institutions, as well as international and civil society organisations in Morocco. On this occasion, they will have the opportunity to exchange on expectations and challenges to be met in the implementation of the project, as well as on the means to ensure its success in the short, medium and long term.
 

• Agenda of the event in Arabic and French
• Press release (French only)

The project:

The overall objective of this 36 months project is to support the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (NPM) in Morocco, whose mandate is ensured by the CNDH, in order to enable it to fulfil this key role through capacity building of its members. To this end, concrete achievements, including the publication of a Prisoner's Guide and a Handbook on Moroccan Penitentiary Law, as well as targeted training sessions and regional and international networking opportunities, will accompany the CNDH and the NPM in the effective implementation of Morocco's commitment to international human rights standards, in particular with regard to detention and the prevention of torture. The specific situation of the most vulnerable members of the detained population, particularly women and minors, will be taken into account in the implementation of the project.

This project builds on the Council of Europe's expertise in the field of torture prevention and its solid experience in supporting NPMs in Europe and beyond, and in particular good practices identified during the implementation of joint programmes between the European Union and the Council of Europe to support independent bodies.

Useful resources:

• Guide to the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the prisoner’s rights: English, French and Arabic
• Online HELP platform (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals)
• Synopsis of the HELP course on the standards of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT): this course is currently available in English and will be available in Arabic shortly.
• Synopsis of the HELP course on the prevention of radicalisation: this course is currently available in English and French and will be available in Arabic shortly.

For more information:

• Website of the Council of Europe Office in Morocco and
• Website of the Delegation of the European Union in Morocco and social media account      
• National Human Rights Council website and
• Website of the Office of the Directorate General of Programmes
• South IV Programme website and  
• PAII-T website
• Website of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)

The joint programme between the European Union and the Council of Europe entitled "Support to the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture and to the development of the key role of Parliament in Morocco" (2020-2023) is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe.