INTERSESSIONAL PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT: MRS. BOUAYACH STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY WARNING IN PREVENTION AND PROTECTION AND CALLS FOR THINKING ON EXPANDING THE CONCEPT OF R2P TO INCLUDE HEALTH CRISES

Mrs. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), participated in the Intersessional Panel Discussion on the 15th Anniversary of the responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

This online event was organized on Tuesday 11 May 2021 by the Human Rights Council (HRC).

Mrs. Bouayach stressed the importance of early warning in prevention and protection and strengthening relations with the United Nations mechanisms to enhance the prevention of gross violations of human rights. She also called for thinking on expanding the concept of "responsibility to protect" to include health crises.

Ms. Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, H.E. Ms. Keva Lorraine Bain, Vice-President of the Human Rights Council, Ms. Savita Pawnday, Deputy Executive Director, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, Ms. Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, Member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and former Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues and Mr. Andrei Serbin Pont, President, Coordinadora Regional de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales (CRIES) took part in this high-level meeting.

Representatives of several National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and civil society from several countries also participated in this event.

On this occasion, Mrs. Bouayach indicated that the Moroccan Constitution provides for human rights principles and standards through three levels: emphasis on rights, prohibition of infringing upon them and criminalization of their violation. In addition to the international reference, it constitutes a framework for preventing, protecting and promoting human rights ... She also added that the law punishes all acts of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

CNDH Chairperson also highlighted the role of the CNDH in preventing human rights violations by adopting a comprehensive approach taking into account both legal and illegal factors. Within this context, she affirmed that the CNDH actions are based on three main axes: Prevention of dangerous speeches, Monitoring human rights and Preserving memory.

In the same context, Mrs. Bouayach announced that in the coming days, a Unit will be established to preserve memory, promote history with its various tributaries, and reinforce Moroccan multiple-identity and consolidate it in school curricula and programs.

Speaking on the importance of partnership with civil society for prevention and protection, Mrs. Bouayach underlined the CNDH’s attention to establishing a civil society network that is constantly renewed as part of an integrated strategy to combat hate speech, violence and incitement to violence.

Mrs. Bouayach also called for thinking on expanding the concept of the "Responsibility to Protect" (R2P) to include health crises, considering the new circumstances of the pandemic.

With regard to international cooperation, the CNDH Chairperson drew attention to the need to build responsible cooperation among States and UN agencies, as well as between and among States, to combat impunity. Especially when instigators and perpetrators of war crimes and other atrocities are members of non-governmental entities.

All Heads of State and Government recognized, at the World Summit in New York in 2005, the R2P the population from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. R2P is based on three equal pillars: the responsibility of each State to protect its population; The responsibility of the international community to assist States in protecting their populations; The responsibility of the international community to protect when a State fails to protect its population.