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Morocco World
27-04-2025
- General
- Morocco World
SIEL 2025: CNDH Calls for Moroccan Rock Art Heritage Preservation
Rabat – Morocco's ancient rock art, long considered a treasure trove of history and culture, took center stage during a thought-provoking panel at the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) booth at the International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL) 2025. Experts gathered on Saturday, April 26th, to discuss the significance of these engravings, their preservation, and the potential they hold for local development. Mountassir El Ouakili, Director of the National Center for Rock Engravings in Agadir, shared insights on the progress of cataloging Morocco's rock art. 'Rock engravings are historical and cultural documents in themselves,' he told Morocco World News (MWN) on the sidelines of the panel, noting how these ancient carvings are invaluable in understanding the pre-writing and prehistoric periods. Through collaborative efforts with institutions like the CNDH, the number of documented rock art sites in Morocco has surged from over 200 in the 1980s to more than 800 today. This expansion represents a monumental step in protecting Morocco's diverse heritage. 'Thanks to cataloging, we now have a clearer understanding of our rock art,' El Ouakili further explained. The symposium's focus was not just on preservation but also on the economic potential of Morocco's rock art. El Ouakili stressed the need to turn these historical sites into drivers of economic growth, especially in vulnerable areas. 'This symposium helps us understand the challenges threatening this heritage and explore ways to transform it into a tool for economic development,' he said. A reflection of Morocco's cultural diversity Mustapha El Hamri, university professor, rock art researcher, also spoke on the panel, emphasizing the role of rock art in representing Morocco's cultural diversity. 'Rock art is integral to our national heritage,' he later told MWN, noting that the engravings span the entire country, from the northern Figuig region to the southern Tiris and Adrar areas. He referenced the large economic returns rock art can yield for local communities, particularly in out-of-the-way places. 'It is vital to protect these sites and integrate them into development planning,' El Hamri asserted. 'If we do this, we can develop sustainable resources that can improve the standard of living of these communities.' His words emphasized the potential for rock art to become a tool for both cultural preservation and community development. A broader African perspective The panel also touched briefly on the broader applicability of Morocco's rock art to other African nations. Panelists spoke about how the rock engravings of the nation compare to those of similar artwork in Sub-Saharan Africa, both culturally and chronologically. Through an examination of these similarities and differences, the symposium sought to provide a greater understanding of Morocco's place within the greater African heritage. The debate gave a subtle view of how Morocco's rock art is part of the common history of the continent but remains unique in itself. Experts balanced the meaning of the similarities and differences, investigating their cultural, historical, and anthropological significance. A platform for cross-cultural exchange The panel was part of the broader cultural programming by CNDH at SIEL 2025, which has seen a staggering 39% increase in visitors since last year's event. This symposium was just one of a series of activities by CNDH to showcase the rich heritage of Morocco and give greater exposure to the topic of rock art. In a time when heritage is in danger of being erased, Morocco's relentless quest to preserve its rock art inspires hope. As El Ouakili and El Hamri explained, the ancient carvings are not simply relics of the past but pivotal elements of Morocco's future. Through additional research, conservation, and strategic integration into development plans, Morocco is able to preserve its rock art while allowing it to benefit local communities for centuries to come.
Morocco World
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco's CNDH at SIEL 2025 Shapes Words as a Battleground for Human Rights
Rabat – The International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL) in Rabat this year provided a dynamic space for discussing pressing human rights issues as the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This milestone prompted the CNDH to gather thinkers, activists, and artists to debate the relevance of the Universal Declaration in today's rapidly changing world, under the discussion of their collective book titled 'Is the Universal Humanist Ideal Unfulfilled?' The panel focused not only on historical challenges but also on emerging ones, such as the impacts of climate change, digitalization, and sustainability. The contributions to a collective book produced for the occasion mirror diverse global perspectives on human rights, which sparked intense conversations about what has been achieved and what still needs to be done. CNDH's president on the roadblocks to progress Amina Bouayach, CNDH President, stood at the heart of these discussions and reflected on the current state of human rights globally. When asked about her contributions to the collective book and how things have changed since the 2022 CNDH human rights symposium, Bouayach did not hold back in pointing out the systemic barriers that persist. 'Since 2022, it has become clear that the human rights system faces severe challenges. These are not just ideological; they have become issues of funding and resources,' Bouayach stated, her tone serious. 'A 40% decrease in UN funds for human rights tells us a lot about the global priorities. This is a direct attack on human rights, particularly in the Global South.' Her words, underlining the complex nature of the struggle for human rights, resonated deeply. Bouayach also pointed out that these financial cutbacks threaten to marginalize efforts to protect vulnerable populations and undermine the work being done in Morocco and beyond. However, Bouayach was not entirely pessimistic. She acknowledged the efforts being made, noting that while challenges remain, 'there are dynamic actions underway to improve the human rights situation.' Morocco, she emphasized, continues to reaffirm its commitment to human rights. Women in the margins Cameroonian writer Djaili Amadou Amal also contributed to the collective book, bringing attention to the plight of women in her country and across Africa. When asked about her perspective on the feminine condition, Amal made a powerful statement about the struggles women face daily. 'Women have waited too long for change,' she lamented. 'When instability hits, women and girls are the first to suffer. And these are not just abstract figures – these are real lives, real tragedies.' Amal also drew attention to the troubling rise in forced and early marriages, a practice that continues to grow in many parts of the world. For Amal, the violence against women is not just physical, it is structural. 'Violence against women breeds other forms of violence. It is a societal issue that cannot be ignored,' she explained. She noted that without securing a rightful place for women in society, no country can achieve true progress. 'A society cannot develop unless women are given their rightful place,' Amal concluded, her words a powerful call to action for the future. Human rights revisited Mohammed Benmoussa, a Moroccan economist and researcher, took a more reflective approach, analyzing the origins of the human rights system. He pointed out that the expectations of the Universal Declaration, created in 1948, were somewhat utopian, especially when compared to today's harsh realities. For him, the key challenge now is not just respecting human rights but ensuring their practical application. 'The Universal Declaration set high expectations, but we are still facing issues of implementation. The main axes of human rights, respect, protection, and the guarantee of rights, remain elusive for many,' Benmoussa noted. He called for greater transparency and accountability from all stakeholders involved in human rights advocacy. 'Institutions must be held accountable, and public policies need to be applied effectively to move forward.' Culture as a driver of human rights At the CNDH booth, Mustapha Najmi, the Director of the Promotion of Human Rights at CNDH, shared the organization's broader vision for human rights engagement through cultural initiatives. 'This year, we chose culture and cultural expressions as a way to promote human rights,' Najmi explained during a conversation with Morocco World News (MWN). 'Culture can be a driver of development and a powerful tool for advocating human rights.' Najmi noted the inclusion of children in the CNDH's program at SIEL, noting that these young participants come from Morocco's twelve regions. Each day, they have the opportunity to express themselves creatively through art and literature, reinforcing the connection between culture and the promotion of human rights. In the afternoons, the booth offered various performances and discussions, including music from the Gharnati and Andalusian traditions, as well as slam poetry. These cultural expressions, Najmi believes, play a crucial role in advancing human rights by encouraging dialogue and fostering mutual understanding. 'The importance of cultural diversity and pluralism cannot be overstated,' Najmi continued. 'It's through these cultural expressions that we can engage in a meaningful conversation about human rights and what needs to be done to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, enjoys these rights.' A call to renew human rights efforts As the discussions at SIEL 2025 unfolded , it was clear that while significant strides have been made, the journey toward full realization of human rights remains long and fraught with challenges. Bouayach's final words summed up the mood of the event: 'Cultural diversity and pluralism allow us to come together, to shape a more inclusive world. It is up to all of us to renew our commitment to human rights, now more than ever.' Through panels, cultural initiatives, and the collective contributions of activists, scholars, and artists, the CNDH continues to lead efforts to ensure that human rights are not just ideals, but realities lived by all. The convergence of these powerful conversations under the roof of SIEL's 30th edition fair serves as a reminder that literature is far more than a vehicle for storytelling, as it is a space where rights, identity, and resistance unfold. At this intersection, words carry the weight of lived experiences, challenge systems of injustice, and imagine alternative futures. Whether through Amadou Amal's urgent reflections on women's rights or through the poems and performances featured at the CNDH booth, literature becomes a witness, a refuge, and a form of action. Culture is not an accessory to human rights, it is their foundation. And in the context of a book fair, where readers and writers meet, this truth becomes impossible to ignore: every page read and every story shared can open the way for greater justice. This year's SIEL welcomed over 253,000 visitors during its first seven days, marking a 39% increase compared to the previous edition. Tags: Books and human rightsCNDHCNDH SIELhuman rightsSIELSIEL 2025
Morocco World
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Morocco's CNDH Weaves Culture and Rights at Rabat's International Book Fair 2025
Rabat – At this year's International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL), the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) offers not only a program, but also a perspective. One that binds books, cultural heritage, and human dignity into a shared national conversation. In their pavilion (A24), visitors find more than shelves and panels. They step into a space where children from across Morocco, rights defenders, artists, and writers meet to present and ponder on topics such as identity, expression, and the right to belong. For CNDH Chairperson Amina Bouayach, this is precisely the point. 'Culture is not a museum piece. It moves. It speaks. It connects generations,' she explains. 'It holds our memory, but also allows us to write ourselves into the future.' Over ten days, the CNDH's pavilion becomes a meeting ground for over 100 Moroccan and international figures. They come to lecture and to share and express, each representing one of Morocco's twelve regions, each carrying a story, a tradition, a local rhythm. Five thematic spaces organize the experience: mornings devoted to children's creativity, literary encounters around human rights, artistic sessions, panels with civil society voices, and a curated selection of books and publications. Every corner of the pavilion speaks of access, dignity, and plurality. At the heart of this year's vision lies a powerful idea: cultural expression is not decorative – it is foundational. The CNDH frames cultural rights as inseparable from social cohesion, the right to memory, and the protection of identity. In Morocco, the bond between human rights activism and literature runs deep, a thread that weaves through generations of writers who used the written word as witness and weapon. From the sharp, clear voices of authors like Fatema Mernissi, who challenged patriarchal norms and reimagined the place of women in Muslim societies, to the novels of Tahar Ben Jelloun, who exposed the silences around torture, injustice, and exile, Moroccan literature has long served as a mirror held up to society. These authors did not write for spectacle; they wrote to disturb comfort, to stir conscience, and to open space for dialogue. Literature here has never stood apart from life, it breathes with it, argues with it, and, at times, reshapes it. In many ways, books have preserved the stories others tried to erase and carried forward the hope that dignity, equality, and freedom remain possible. Culture, our fingerprint Moroccan Actor Kamal Kadimi, who participated in a panel on artistic expression in CNDH's booth on Wednesday, April 23, shared his concerns and hopes with Morocco World News (MWN). 'I see culture as our fingerprint,' he said. 'No two are alike. If we lose it, we lose our name in the world.' Kadimi, known for his dedication to youth outreach, called on young Moroccans to stay close to their cultural roots. 'I tell the youth: wear your culture like your skin. It isn't something to take off. It's part of who you are.' He sees platforms like the CNDH's pavilion as not just a mere set of exhibitions. 'This isn't a booth,' he said. 'This is a statement. That culture belongs to all of us. And that our traditions, our dialects, our music, they deserve the same protection as our civil rights.' The message at this year's SIEL is loud and clear. When rights are spoken in the language of culture, they resonate deeper. And when books, stories, and songs enter public life, they do not merely inform, they affirm. By linking literature with human rights and culture with freedom, the CNDH has turned its presence at SIEL into something rare – a place where the human voice is heard and honored. The Rabat Book Fair, held from April 18 to 27, gathers hundreds of exhibitors from around the globe, presenting a selection of over 100,000 works spanning literary, academic, and cultural fields. Tags: book fair MoroccoCNDHCNDH Moroccohuman rightsSIELSIEL 2025
Morocco World
23-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's Judicial Council Launches New Legal Information Website
Rabat — The Supreme Council of the Judicial Power launched today a new website dedicated to legal and judicial information. The unveiling took place at the Council's pavilion during the International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL). This initiative aims to help spread legal awareness, make legal and judicial information more accessible, and simplify access to these resources. The new website is called 'The Legal and Judicial Library' ( featuring downloadable and printable legislative and regulatory texts. It also features studies, books, and articles written by judges from across Morocco. Additionally, visitors can access annual and thematic reports from the Supreme Council of the Judicial Power, along with its publications in all areas under its jurisdiction. The Supreme Council of the Judicial Power wants to make the new website a vital reference for professionals, students, researchers, and all legal and judicial experts seeking legal information. This launch fulfills the strategic goal of improving access to justice and implements Action #113 from the Council's Strategic Plan (2021-2026), which emphasizes the need to make legal information widely available and easier to obtain. Read also: Morocco, India Share Expertise on Digitalization Journey at UM6P Conference This step is part of Morocco's broader vision to digitize citizens' access to public institutions and information. The country is committed to leveraging technology for broader societal progress. The country's Ministry of Interior recently took a breakthrough step to digitize civil registry records. This ambitious initiative aims to ease citizens' access to their civil registry records across all prefectures and provinces, allocating MAD 194 million ($19.4 million) for its implementation. Approximately 20 million Moroccans now have digital identification, with 11 million receiving medical benefits and 7 million accessing scholarships through this system.
Maroc
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Maroc
SIEL Book Fair to Strengthen Cultural Ties Between Morocco, UAE
The International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL), with Sharjah as this year's guest of honor, is a renewed opportunity to strengthen the bridges of communication and cultural ties between Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, said Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, on Friday in Rabat. "The relationship between the UAE, and Sharjah in particular, with the Kingdom of Morocco, is not a recent one. It is rooted in a long-standing tradition of cultural exchange and the transmission of knowledge," Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi emphasized, as quoted in a press release by the Sharjah Book Authority, on the sidelines of the opening of the 30th SIEL, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The great traveler Ibn Battuta, "who visited our region centuries ago, bore witness to the authenticity of heritage and the deeply rooted Arab values, which continue to bring us together today," she noted. "Today, we still draw inspiration from the legacy of Ibn Battuta, from Al Quaraouiyine University, and from the contributions of Sharif Al-Idrissi, to build bridges of communication, culture, and brotherhood between our two countries, and to strengthen the fraternal ties that unite us through our cooperation," she continued. Sharjah's agenda features more than 50 events during the fair, including poetry readings, lectures, children's workshops, and professional meetings with publishers from both countries. Over 18 Emirati institutions are taking part, presenting hundreds of publications. Organizers said the initiative aims to boost translation efforts, publishing deals, and joint distribution. A special program targeting young readers is also being held in partnership with the UAE Board on Books for Young People and the "Kan Ya Ma Kan" initiative, using interactive formats to promote reading and Emirati heritage. MAP: 18 avril 2025
