ICC Prosecutor commends CNDH’s initiatives and contribution to rule of law in Morocco and recommends strengthening CNDH/ICC relations
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court visited the CNDH on Wednesday, July 2nd 2014. Ms Fatou Bensouda met with Mohamed Essabbar, CNDH Secretary General, and members of the Council.The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court visited the CNDH on Wednesday, July 2nd 2014. Ms Fatou Bensouda met with Mohamed Essabbar, CNDH Secretary General, and members of the Council.
Ms Bensouda welcomed CNDH’s initiatives and contribution to establishing the rule of law. We need to strengthen cooperation relations with the National Human Rights Council, she said. The ICC and CNDH should work together, she added, to promote the culture of human rights and international criminal law.
Only few MENA countries have ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. This is mainly due to "weak knowledge and misconceptions" about the Court’s mandate and prerogatives, the ICC Prosecutor said. She stressed the need to increase awareness and sensitize about the ICC's jurisdiction and mandate and the importance of engaging with the Court.
Mr. Essabbar welcomed the first visit of the ICC Prosecutor to the CNDH, He outlined the mandate and role of the Council and the human rights progress that has been made in Morocco, affirming that the Moroccan Constitution criminalizes the crimes that fall within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. CNDH Secretary General confirmed the Council's wish to strengthen cooperation relations and exchange experiences with the International Court.