The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (; ; , abbreviated AMDH) is one of the biggest Moroccan human rights non-governmental organizations. It was founded on June 24, 1979, in Rabat to work for the preservation of human dignity and the respect, protection, defense and promotion of human rights in Morocco and Western Sahara. It uses different means to achieve its objectives such as the publication of a monthly newspaper, sit-ins and the holding of conferences. The AMDH considers it equally crucial to build partnerships with internal and external organizations and networks in order to be stronger in the fight for human rights.
Since its foundation the AMDH has faced some obstacles coming from the Moroccan authorities but it has managed to continue its operations. By 2015 the organization had 97 local branches throughout the country, which are organized into regional sections. A National Congress, an Administrative Commission and a Central Office are also part of the organizational structure of the AMDH.
History On June 24, 1979, the Moroccan Association for Human Rights was officially founded in Rabat at a Congress of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), a Moroccan socialist party, which brought together delegates from the majority of the provinces and social strata. Since then, the AMDH has been willing to help and work with all citizens as long as they are not involved in human rights violations. It is recognized as an association of public utility by the decree n° 2.00.405 of 24 April 2000. Since its foundation the AMDH has gone through four different periods until becoming today one of the biggest and most well-established organizations in Morocco.
First period 1979–1983 The newly created Moroccan Association for Human Rights started to establish various sections across the country and initiated a number of activities in order to pursue its objectives. Nonetheless, the beginnings were especially hard for the organization. Under the regime of the then king of Morocco, Hassan II, it was subjected to persistent repression and its members were, on many occasions, persecuted and arrested, leading the AMDH to carry out its activity practically in secrecy. The Moroccan authorities limited the organization's freedom of action and prohibited the celebration of the Congress in 1983 twice: March and June.
Second period 1984–1988 The climate of repression continued in Morocco with newspapers being censored, cultural movements restrained and organizations, such as the AMDH, repressed. In such situation the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, while it managed to keep its actions, was unable to flourish. Further, differences between the founders lead to an organizational crisis and, thus, stagnation.
Third period 1988–1991 The repression and persecution by the Moroccan authorities relaxed and the AMDH was able to surpass the crisis by renovating and reestablishing its strategy, principles and orientation during the second and third Congress, which took place in March 1989 and December 1991 respectively. In 1988 the AMDH started to cooperate with the Moroccan League for the Defense of Human Rights to carry out joint actions related to human rights, for example the organization of seminars.
Fourth period 1991–present Since the 1990s the AMDH has experienced a period of expansion and development, becoming one of the most important non-governmental organizations in Morocco. It has been holding its Congress every 3 years in a regular basis. In the last years, however, the AMDH has been facing once again some difficulties by the authorities who are restricting its activities and blocking the concession of their permit to continue operations.
AMDH publishes an annual report on human rights in Morocco. The 2010 report, cataloguing multiple human rights abuses including torture, suggests that the country has made little progress in human rights over the past year.
In 2006, AMDH was instrumental in the creation of national coordinating structures known as "les coordinations" to fight against poverty in Morocco. In 2011, ADMH sought to relaunch this structure, drawing on the momentum of the Arab Spring.
Objectives The main goal of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights is to work for the preservation of human dignity and the respect, protection, defense and promotion of all human rights. Other important objectives that the organization pursue are:
The respect of political, social, civil and economic international conventions. The ratification by Morocco of international conventions on human rights and their integration into the law as well as the assurance that the country complies with those provisions. The diffusion, awareness-raising and education on human rights. The allegation and condemnation of violations of human rights To give support to all people that have been a victim of human rights violations.
Principles The AMDH has developed throughout the years six fundamental principles that inform its actions.
Universality of human rights It believes that all human beings without discrimination are entitled to human rights. As a result, the AMDH's actions follow the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other declarations and international conventions that follow such line. It also believes that the respect for human rights has a global dimension requiring all people to participate unitedly. Thus, The AMDH works at the national, Maghreb, Arab and International level.
Globality of human rights According to the AMDH, human rights involve all social, political, civil and economic dimensions, which are indivisible. Therefore, as long as one of them is not fully respected human rights remain incomplete and ineffective. Furthermore, it is easier to decline the respect of other dimensions.
Mass action The AMDH believes that the respect for human rights will only be achieved if all the people, including the victims of the violations, and not just the elites, work for it together. It also considers that the best way to expand human rights around the world is by raising awareness among the population about the importance of these rights and the need to defend them. As a consequence, the AMDH encourages the creation of new regional sections, as open spaces for all citizens, and the association with other organizations to bring together as much strength as possible in the fight for human rights. This has led to the adoption of the motto "unity of action".
Independence It claims independence from any sort of power and from any political organization. Instead, it guides its actions by taking into account the defense of human rights and international documents on the matter. That said, the AMDH is open to work with the authorities and different political organizations as long as they respect its identity and independence.
Democracy The Moroccan Association for Human Rights has applied this principle to both its internal and external relations in order to ensure mutual respect and avoid marginalization. It also considers that if human rights are to be universal and be globally applied, a true democratic society is necessary to legitimize them.
Progressive character Due to the prior principles the AMDH fits in the international and national progressive movement that fights repression and exploitation and works for the advancement of humanity towards freedom, equality and solidarity.
Structure +Bodies of the AMDHNameMembersMeetingsFunctionsDecision makingThe National Congress (The highest body)Are called delegates and include: Members of the Administrative Commission Members of the Preparatory commission Those elected by secret ballot at the general assemblies of the sections.Once every three years but it can meet extraordinarily when requiredExamine reports, resolutions and recommendations. Elect the members of the Administrative Commission. Modify the statutes by absolute majority of the delegates Dissolve the association by a majority of 2/3 of the delegates Fix general orientationsRelative majorityThe Administrative CommissionMaximum 61Once every quarter but it can meet extraordinarily when requiredDetermine the date, place and agenda of the National Congress as well as the members of the preparatory commission Undertake the actions imposed to itself or asked by the Central Office Elect and replace the members of the Central Office Monitor the activities of the Central Office Discuss, amend and adopt the general program and the budget which have been established by the Central Office Decide whether the members of the AMDH have committed an infraction and impose the corresponding measures. Help the Central Office in the creation of sections Dissolve sections when they have committed an infraction or are inactive Adopt and amend rules of procedure in accordance to the statutes. Fix the participation rate to the central budget of each section. Ensure the implementation of the National Congress' decisions.Absolute majority of the present membersThe Central OfficeFrom 11 to 17 members including: President Vice-presidents General Secretary Deputy Secretary General Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Assigned assessorsTwice a month and more extraordinarily when necessaryResponsible for the implementation of the agenda, the National Congress' resolutions and the Administrative Commission' decisions. Control and guide the AMDH activities and actions*Suspend any section that violates the organization's goals and principles. It can appoint experts in order to consult them or attach tasks to them Help in section and central commission constitution. Prepare reports and proposals for the Administrative Commission's meeting.Relative majority SectionsThere are 96 local sections (2017) grouped into regional sections. An office is established to run the section. It is formed by 7 to 13 members, including the same positions as the Central Office and similar roles.The General Assembly is held every year and a half.Discuss and decide on the moral and financial report. Take decisions in relation to the activities of the section. Ensure compliance with the agenda, the National Congress' resolutions, the Administrative Commission' decisions and the Central Office's guidelines.Relative majority
The AMDH also has four sections abroad: Madrid, Paris, Brussels and Lille. The section in Madrid was the first one to be constituted.
The Administrative Commission and the Central Office form the executive body of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights. +Central Office members (2010)RoleFunctions Responsible PresidentHead of the Central Office and the Administrative Commission Represents the AMDHKhadija RyadiVice-presidentsAssist the President Substitutes the President when necessaryAbdelhamid Amine et Abdelilah BenabdeslamGeneral SecretarySupervises AMDH administrative workHassan AharratDeputy Secretary GeneralAssists the General Secretary Substitutes the General Secretary when requiredSamira KinaniTreasurerPrepares the budget project Manages the financial documents Responsible for opening new bank accounts Carry out the payments after the President's signatureTaib MadmadAssistant TreasurerAssists the Treasurer Substitutes the Treasurer when neededAbdelkhalek BenzekriAssigned assessorsResponsible for undertaking a number of additional tasksAtika Ettaif, Fatiha Mesbahi, Fatima Zahra Zarmouk, Khadija Ainani, Khadija Abnaou, Nidal Salam Hamdache, Abdellah Moussedad, Ahmed ElhaiJ, Abdeslam Assal, Mohamed Amri
There are other organs that, in addition to the already mentioned in the tables, are also part of AMDH's structure: The Meeting of National Sections and The Meeting of Regional Sections, one occurs twice a year at the national level while the other at the regional level. The central commissions, which are specialized bodies in different matters helping to implement the AMDH's activities.