Amina Bouayach, president of Morocco’s National Human Rights Council (CNDH), has been unanimously elected as the head of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). Her election, confirmed on Tuesday in Geneva during the alliance’s general assembly, marks a significant milestone for both Morocco and Africa on the global human rights stage.
The announcement was made by Vladen Stefanov, head of the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. He emphasized that all national human rights institutions (NHRIs) holding A-status supported Bouayach’s candidacy, ensuring a fully legitimate and transparent election process under the auspices of the United Nations.
Bouayach’s nomination was officially backed by the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI). During its general assembly at the Palais des Nations, the network reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s bid, allowing Africa to reclaim the GANHRI presidency after a decade-long absence.
Following the vote, Bouayach expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming confidence placed in her by both Africa and the wider international community. She praised the unwavering commitment of African human rights institutions, highlighting their crucial role in safeguarding fundamental freedoms in often challenging environments.
Her leadership comes at a pivotal moment when multilateralism is under strain and many NHRIs are grappling with financial constraints. In her speech, she underscored the urgent need for heightened vigilance and stronger cooperation to tackle today’s most pressing human rights challenges.
These challenges include the risks and opportunities of the digital age, shrinking civic space, armed conflicts, gender equality, violence against women, climate change, and economic disparities. Bouayach stressed the importance of collective action to ensure that no one is left behind.
She succeeds Qatari official Maryam Al Attiyah, president of the National Human Rights Committee, for a three-year term. During the same general assembly, Northern Ireland’s Alyson Kilpatrick was elected as GANHRI’s secretary, taking over the role previously held by Bouayach.
This election not only cements Morocco’s leadership in human rights advocacy but also reinforces Africa’s presence in international bodies dedicated to fundamental freedoms.
