OUTCOME OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CCDH AND MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT TO IMPLEMENT INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY REPARATION PROGRAM AND PRESENTATION OF PLAN OF ACTION 2011

The joint committee on the implementation of the partnership of the Advisory Council on Human Rights (CCDH) and the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training held, on 14 February 2011, in Rabat, a meeting to shed light on the outcome of this partnership and present the plan of action 2011.

This meeting was chaired by Mr. Ahmed Herzenni, CCDH President, and Mr. Jamal Ghmani, Minister of Employment and Vocational Training.

Following this partnership, several victims and their rights holders have benefited from vocational training in vocational training institutes or training unites affiliated to the ministry. The agricultural rehabilitation center in Tatnat, Province of Azilal, was extended. The construction works of another agricultural rehabilitation center in Kalat Megoune, Province of Ouarzazate, are about to end. Besides, 4 branches of the National Agency for Promotion of Employment and Competences (ANPEC) opened in cities targeted by the community reparation program: Azilal, Kénifra, Zagora and Figuig. In addition, several project holders were supported by this employment promotion agency and a number of candidates benefited from vocational trainings in many institutions through the agency.

The National Fund of Social Provident Bodies (CNOPS) appointed an officer to treat the files of the victims of human rights violations. In addition, in implementation of an agreement signed by CCDH and CNOPS in 2007, about 7000 victims and rights holders benefit now from medical insurance.

Several training sessions in the field of human rights were organized for the officers of the Ministry of Employment and others in the field of management and project preparation for 90 members of the staff of the community reparation program’s coordination units.

Under the plan of action 2011, several training sessions in the field of human rights will be organized for the officers of the Ministry and staff of the coordination units. The topics of these sessions will be related to human rights based approach, project management and advocacy mechanisms.

The plan also aims to facilitate the enrollment of victims and their rights holders in vocational training centers, creation of vocational training centers in Takfelt, province of Azilal, Qbab, Province of Kénifra, Oulmess, province of Khemisset, Bni Hadifa, province of Al-Hoceima, Bni Chiker, Province of Nador, in addition to the organization of vocational training movable units in the areas of the community reparation program. In the field of gradual vocational training, raising-awareness meetings on the program will be held with local associations, and several financing partnerships with the benefiting associations will be signed.

To promote employment, many branches of the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Competencies will be opened in the areas of the community reparation program. Several income generating projects will be supervised and many regional meetings with project holder associations will be held, in coordination of CCDH regional offices. In addition, the number of beneficiaries of “Mkawalati” program will be extended and many meetings will be held to raise awareness about this program.

The aforesaid plan of action also aims to reinforce communication with the media and press concerning the achievement of this partnership. Several seminars and meetings with victims or their rights holders will be held, mainly a national seminar on union, economic and social rights.

During this meeting, Mr. Ghmani said praised the outcome of this partnership and called for the reinforcement of communication with all stakeholders concerned by community reparation to inform them with the opportunities of this partnership. He also called for an effective coordination concerning the complaints the Council refers to the ministry for investigation and reply within reasonable delay.

For his part, Mr. Herzenni stated that the achievements of this partnership will contribute to the promotion of economic and social rights in the areas of the community reparation program. He added that these efforts will help achieve the accumulations expected from the implementation of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations regarding the individual and community reparations. It will contribute to the penning of reflection workshops to promote human rights and democracy.

During this meeting, a joint circular was signed between the Advisory Council on Human Rights and the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training to encourage the ministry’s external services and institutions and CCDH regional office to fully participate in this partnership.

The Advisory Council on Human Rights and the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training signed a partnership and cooperation agreement in 2008.Under this agreement, the Ministry of Employment shall participate in the implementation of the individual and community reparation programs. It is committed to facilitate access of victims and their rights holders to training, in-service training and services of the National Agency for Promotion of Employment and Skills (ANAPEC) and the Ministry’s public institutions, settle legal, financial and administrative problems of victims concerned by the IER’s recommendations, give priority to the regions of the community reparation program in its projects, and enhance vocational training in these regions.