Geneva Institute for Human Rights

Specialized training courses for judges were held from September 19-22 in the Moroccan capital city of Rabat, focusing on international mechanisms to protect human rights.

The sessions were organized by the Geneva Institute for Human Rights in cooperation with the Moroccan Ministry of Justice. They took place at the Higher Institute of Justice.

Professor Saadia Belmir, a member of the Committee against Torture, attended the opening ceremony on behalf of the Secretary General. Also in attendance was a delegation of Swiss foreign nationals.

Fifteen judges and magistrates from different disciplines and geographical areas participated in the training program, which covered topics such as the role of international mechanisms and national judicial systems in promoting human rights, ways to integrate international treaties and conventions on human rights in judicial decisions, the rights of defendants in international and Moroccan national legislation, and international standards for the treatment of prisoners.

Select participants will be invited for follow-up posts at an advanced training course in Geneva during the 47th session of the Committee against Torture, where they will discuss Morocco's report on November 4.

The Geneva Institute for Human Rights considers the judiciary one of its primary targets for training, since it constitutes one of the most important national mechanisms for enhancing the local protection of human rights.

The Geneva Institute for Human Rights has been operating in Morocco since 2009, when it coordinated with the Moroccan Ministry of Justice to organize two local courses and an advanced course in Geneva. In total, the programs trained 38 judges.