For a penal policy that protects universal human rights and freedoms
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) held an international colloquium on the reform challenges of the penal code and the penal procedure code, on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 of June 2015, at the House of Representatives in Rabat.
The participants reviewed and exchanged on the human rights aspects and HR issues in the draft penal code and the draft penal procedure code, shedding light on potential loopholes in the bills.
Speaking at the opening session of the colloquium, Driss El Yazami, CNDH Chairman, said that “we are looking forward to a penal policy with no death penalty, to a human rights based penal code and to a penal procedure code that protects, prevents and punishes torture, arbitrary detention, discrimination and violence against women.” We are looking forward, he added, to a law that “expands alternatives to incarceration, provides for an integrated solution for the rehabilitation and reintegration…” a law that helps reduce recidivism rates and protects vulnerable groups, including immigrants and refugees, children, persons with disabilities, etc.
Minister of Justice and Liberties Mustapha Ramid also took the floor at the opening session along with the representatives of the 9 partner national and international NGOs. More than 47 statements on the penal system were delivered by some 150 participants, in two general sessions and 6 parallel sessions.
The gathering is fruit of an unprecedented partnership of leading human rights NGOs and the main Moroccan associations of legal professionals: the Hassania Association of Judges (Amicale Hassania), the Club of Magistrates, the Moroccan Association for Women Judges, the Moroccan Association Bar, the Spring of Dignity Coalition, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, the International Federation for Human Rights, the International Commission of Jurists and Penal Reform International.