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Morocco World
4 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Bouayach: Morocco's Transitional Justice Offers Lessons in Reconciliation, Reform
Rabat – Amina Bouayach, President of Morocco's National Human Rights Council and Chair of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, delivered an address during a regional human rights conference focused on transitional justice in Beirut. Speaking in the opening of a session dedicated to Morocco's experience, Bouayach described transitional justice as a necessary step toward rebuilding trust between the state and society, and laying the foundations for a future based on dignity, justice, and human rights. In her speech, Bouayach said that transitional justice is more than a process of looking into the past; it is about learning from it to build a better future. She called it a 'collective' vision of truth, justice, reparations, and reconciliation, and described Morocco's journey as a national choice made willingly to confront a painful history of human rights violations. 'National choice' She spoke of the importance of addressing the suffering of victims, especially those who endured torture and other grave abuses. She called for bold, transparent, and independent action in the region to rehabilitate victims and uphold justice. Bouayach stated clearly that the goal of zero torture is not only legitimate but achievable, and that Morocco is committed to promoting this vision in the broader regional and African context. The Moroccan experience began in 2004 with the creation of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, known as the IER. This was the first such initiative in the Arab world, and it was born from years of civil society efforts to bring recognition and justice to victims of past state violence, Bouayach said. She added that the process was entirely Moroccan, led by national actors and supported by public participation, dialogue, and political will. Victims were given space to speak publicly, including on national TV and radio, and their testimonies were documented, published, and distributed without censorship. This process led to a number of legal and institutional reforms. The IER's final report included recommendations that were adopted at various levels, including changes to the constitution, new laws criminalizing torture, and the creation of mechanisms to prevent future violations, such as the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture. Bouayach said these steps represent a shift from dealing with past abuses to actively working to prevent new ones. Victims received financial compensation, support for psychological care, medical treatment, social reintegration, and retirement benefits for affected civil servants. Bouayach noted that a special budget is still allocated for ongoing medical support to victims. The process also paid attention to women's specific experiences to ensure that female victims received compensation that respected their dignity and provided for gender equality in accessing services. Throughout her remarks, Bouayach stated that Morocco's transitional justice path was not about copying other models or applying ready-made solutions. It was about building a new path step by step, rooted in national needs and realities. She said the process reflected a careful design that combined truth-seeking, reparations, and institutional reform in order to create a new and fair social contract. She explained that Morocco's effort did not take place in the aftermath of armed conflict. Instead, it was a political choice made by the state itself, acknowledging its responsibility for past abuses and seeking to restore trust. Bouayach concluded her address by summarizing the key takeaways from Morocco's journey. She notably said the process provided a model for how truth, justice, and reform can come together to break with the past and create lasting change. 'We at the National Human Rights Council remain fully committed and ready to share the lessons, practices, and methods of this experience with all our partners,' she said. Tags: CNDHreconciliationtransitional justice
Qatar Tribune
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Global conference on AI and human rights kicks off in Doha
QNA Doha The international conference on 'Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Opportunities, Risks, and Visions for a Better Future' commenced in Doha on Tuesday. Organised by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), the event is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), Huawei, and other global stakeholders in digital governance. The opening ceremony was attended by Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim; Minister of Social Development and Family HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi; Minister of Labour HE Dr Ali bin Saeed bin Smaikh Al Marri; Minister of Communications and Information Technology HE Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai; Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater; Minister of State for Interior Affairs HE Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal Al Thani; and Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, among other senior officials. In her keynote address, NHRC Chairperson HE Mariam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah emphasised the relevance of artificial intelligence to human rights discourse, noting its potential to advance sectors such as healthcare, education, access to information, freedom of expression, and personal security. She warned, however, of significant ethical concerns, including bias, privacy violations, job displacement, and widening inequality. She called for a human rights-based approach to AI development that ensures transparency, oversight, accountability, and effective remedies. HE Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai described AI as a transformative force, no longer limited to service optimisation but shaping decisions that impact human dignity. He stressed the need to move from admiration to active governance, questioning how fairness and inclusivity can be safeguarded in a world increasingly influenced by algorithms. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, speaking via video message, outlined four critical recommendations: the creation of robust legal frameworks, bridging the digital divide, inclusive AI governance, and ensuring AI development aligns with universal human rights. President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions Amina Bouayach called AI a defining issue of the era, influencing every aspect of modern life and urging innovation to be directed by ethical considerations. Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, president of the Arab Parliament, cautioned against the misuse of AI, which could undermine privacy, exacerbate discrimination, and threaten justice and human dignity if not ethically regulated. President of the National Cybersecurity Agency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Malki underscored the challenges posed by generative AI and reiterated Qatar's proactive stance in integrating AI into its development strategies while maintaining a secure digital ecosystem. Dr Mary Kawar, UNDP regional director for the Arab States, shared findings from a recent UNDP Human Development Report, revealing that a majority of people in lower-income countries expect AI to boost productivity and transform key sectors. She concluded by stressing that AI must be centred on human dignity and rights. In closing, HE Kawar stressed the importance of responsible AI use, underscoring that at its core, AI must prioritise human dignity and operate within a framework of fundamental rights.
