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Ya Biladi
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan women of the diaspora walk from Fès to Laayoune to celebrate history
Some journeys can't be measured in miles or kilometers—they're journeys of the soul. That's the kind of journey Khadija Gamraoui is leading. Fifty years after the Green March, this passionate official who lives between France and Morocco wants to «bring the spirit» of that historic moment back to life—this time through women from both the diaspora and the Kingdom. «When I was a kid, my mom used to say I was born the year of the Green March. That story shaped me. Now, it's time to tell it in a new way», she shared with Yabiladi. For her 50th birthday, instead of throwing a party, Khadija chose to walk the streets of Fez's medina with 50 women. It was a powerful, symbolic step, backed by the governor of Fez and other local leaders, where meaning took priority over spectacle. «We walked through Moulay Idriss, Sidi Harazem, Moulay Yacoub... places that hold deep meaning for Moroccans everywhere», she recalls. The group included activists, elected officials, athletes, mothers, and young women like a 20-year-old Franco-Moroccan boxer from Paris, proudly representing the initiative during a race in Fez. This march isn't just a tribute. It's a political statement, a cultural act, and a message for the next generation. «I wanted to pass this story on to my daughter and her peers. Many of them didn't grow up with this history, so it was important to create a space to share it», Khadija explains. Each leg of the march, headed toward Laayoune and beyond into other African countries, will include opportunities to connect: talks, workshops, shared memories, and local meetups. Passing on Patriotism At the heart of the project are women, those who for decades have bridged the gap between Morocco and its diaspora, giving voice through associations, politics, and sports. Khadija is bringing together this inspiring network and trusted partners, from the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) to the organizers of the Sahraouiya race, which she recently joined in Dakhla. «That women's race moved me deeply. It gave me the push I needed to start this march across Morocco». The «March of the Women of the Diaspora» also aims to reconnect Moroccans around the world with the realities back home, especially in the southern provinces. Khadija highlights stops planned for places like Al Haouz, hit hard by the 2023 earthquake. «The diaspora stepped up to help. Now they can come back in person, with a spirit of gratitude and ongoing support». This is just the beginning. More women will join along the way, consuls, community leaders, and young people searching for purpose. Khadija plans to collect mementos at each stop and involve young Franco-Moroccans in writing workshops that will lead to an exhibition, keeping the story alive and growing.
Ya Biladi
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Halima El Warzazi, pioneering Moroccan diplomat and human rights advocate, dies at 92
The former Moroccan diplomat and human rights expert Halima El Warzazi has passed away at the age of 92, the National Human Rights Council announced. She served as a member of the Advisory Council on Human Rights (the predecessor to the current Council) from 2007 to 2011. Born on April 17, 1933, in Casablanca, El Warzazi was among the first Moroccan women to enter the diplomatic corps. After earning a degree in literature from Cairo University, she began her career as a Cultural attaché at the Moroccan Embassy in Washington, serving from 1959 to 1967. Her career in international diplomacy and human rights gained momentum in 1973, when she was elected to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination and appointed as an expert on the UN Committee against Apartheid. El Warzazi held several prominent roles on the international stage. In 1980, she was elected Rapporteur of the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights, and in 1985, she chaired the Working Group on Harmful Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children. In 1989, she was appointed Director of International Organizations at Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She reemerged in the international spotlight in 1992 as chair of the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference on Human Rights, later leading the UN Working Group on New Forms of Racism. In 2008, she was elected to the Advisory Committee of the UN Human Rights Council.
Morocco World
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
35 Years of CNDH: Morocco Reaffirms Commitment to Human Rights
Rabat – 35 years ago, Morocco took a bold step. Long before global standards emerged, the country established its first national human rights institution on May 8, 1990, laying the groundwork for what would become a key pillar in its governance landscape. This week, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) marks that turning point. The anniversary speaks not only to the passage of time, but to the country's steady shift toward greater accountability, justice, and rights protection. The Council's president, Amina Bouayach, sees this moment as more than symbolic. 'We are looking back on a path of transformation, but also of construction. Morocco changes constantly, so must we,' she said. What began as a modest advisory body has grown into a constitutional institution with regional branches and a far-reaching mandate. Since 2018, the Council has operated with expanded powers to address violations, support victims, and defend freedoms. Morocco had already taken this path in the early 1990s, three years before the UN adopted the Paris Principles that define how human rights institutions should function. That early move, Bouayach said, reflected a national decision to address past abuses and build a system based on truth, justice, and reconciliation. The country marked the 20th anniversary of that process earlier this year. Over the years, the Council has played a role in major reforms: from restructuring the justice system and revising the Constitution to observing elections and launching discussions around Morocco's Family Code. 'We are not outside of national dynamics, we stand in the middle of them,' Bouayach explained. Under the slogan '35 Years: Rights. Freedoms. Effectiveness', the Council plans to mark the anniversary throughout 2025. The goal is to reinforce the rule of law, support victims where needed, and ensure that rights do not remain theoretical but become real and enforceable. Morocco's human rights body asserts that it stands on principles of independence and accountability. But it also carries a story, one of political will, institutional learning, and the belief that no reform holds weight unless it protects human dignity. Tags: CNDHCNDH Morocochuman rightsmorocco human rights
Morocco World
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Bouayach: Reparative Justice Must Address Africa's Past and Present Wounds
Rabat – In a renewed call for dignity and justice, Amina Bouayach, President of Morocco's National Human Rights Council (CNDH), delivered a compelling address on April 30, at the closing session of the African NGO Forum, hosted in Banjul, The Gambia. Speaking via video, Bouayach urged a comprehensive rethinking of 'reparative justice' to address the enduring legacies of slavery, colonialism, and exploitation across the African continent. 'Africa has carried for centuries the burden of an unjust system,' Bouayach said, referring to how human exploitation — through slavery and colonial rule — fueled global wealth at the expense of Africa's suffering and impoverishment. She stressed that historical injustices — such as slavery, human trafficking, and colonial domination — stripped entire generations of their fundamental rights and left deep, lasting wounds. These injustices, Bouayach noted, continue to affect African societies and the diaspora, which she described as 'a living memory of historical suffering' and ongoing victims of global injustice. Highlighting the complexity of reparations, Bouayach pointed to three key challenges: defining responsibility, ensuring feasibility, and clarifying the ultimate goal. She warned that financial or symbolic reparations alone are insufficient to heal historical trauma or address systemic inequality. Instead, she advocated for a long-term, inclusive approach rooted in structural reform. Reparative justice, she emphasized, must actively involve affected communities and recognize their agency. Their inclusion is not only essential but also a formal acknowledgment of the rights denied to them for centuries. Drawing from transitional justice experiences in Africa and Latin America, Bouayach noted that reparative justice mechanisms are feasible and effective when designed with intention and inclusivity. She framed reparations as a process of rebuilding societies on the basis of equality, dignity, and shared responsibility. ' Justice today must go beyond symbolic gestures,' Bouayach added, focusing on the need for economic justice at the heart of reparations. She proposed targeted development programs for historically marginalized communities and support for African-led initiatives across the economic, cultural, and social sectors — both on the continent and in the diaspora. In conclusion, Bouayach highlighted the central role of national human rights institutions and civil society organizations. She called them vital actors in documenting the ongoing impact of historical crimes and advancing demands for recognition, redress, and guarantees of non-repetition. Their work, she said, is key to amplifying victims' voices and shaping concrete reparative frameworks. This year's African NGO Forum took place over three days in Banjul, The Gambia, offering a platform for civil society, academics, and policymakers to collaborate on strategies for advancing reparations at all levels. Discussions focused on topics such as modern-day slavery, gender-based approaches to reparations, international advocacy, and the institutionalization of human rights-based reparative mechanisms. Tags: Amina BouayachCNDHhuman rights
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
