The Moroccan capital is currently hosting the 7th Congress of the Network of Francophone National Human Rights Institutions (AFCNDH).
The two-day event, held at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), focuses on protecting fundamental freedoms amidst rising global tensions and rapid technological shifts.
Opening the session on Tuesday, Amina Bouayach, President of the CNDH and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), called for a revitalization of human rights work within the Francophone community. She highlighted that many human rights actors currently face significant financial hurdles that threaten their effectiveness.
Bouayach emphasized that pooling resources and sharing best practices are essential for consolidating advocacy efforts at the state level, supporting the independence of national institutions, influencing public policy to ensure robust protection pathways.
A central theme of the congress is the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digitalization on human rights. While recognizing AI as a tool that can support the work of national institutions, participants expressed serious concerns regarding privacy and data protection, non-discrimination and algorithmic bias, and human dignity in digital public policies.
Bouayach warned that many current algorithms fail to respect fundamental human rights principles. She urged stakeholders—including civil society, technical experts, and tech producers—to collaborate on ethical frameworks that balance innovation with the protection of rights and freedoms.
The congress is expected to conclude with a practical roadmap designed to: Strengthen the working mechanisms of Francophone human rights institutions. Enhance their capacity to monitor digital transformations. Establish legal and ethical guidelines for AI use in the public sector.
By creating a unified approach, the network aims to ensure that the digital evolution does not come at the cost of the fundamental rights of citizens across the Francophone world.
AK/Sf/fss/abj/APA