AI and Human Rights: A Balancing Act in Morocco's Legal Framework
Hicham Blawi, the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation and head of the public prosecution, emphasized the necessity of not only harnessing the evolving technological capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) but also recognizing its limits. He underscored the importance of establishing clear ethical and legal frameworks governing its use to ensure the protection of human rights and the preservation of fundamental freedoms. This statement was made during the opening of a training course held in Fez, aimed at judicial officials from the public prosecution, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence and human rights.
During this significant event, Blawi articulated the rapid technological advancements that pose increasing challenges to the justice system, particularly concerning criminal justice, the right to defense, privacy protection, and the guarantee of fair trials. He highlighted that AI applications are no longer confined to scientific, educational, and economic sectors but have expanded into various fields, including justice. This expansion has facilitated new possibilities for monitoring criminal activities, identifying fraudulent operations, assisting in investigations, and improving data processing mechanisms associated with crime.
However, these advancements present renewed responsibilities for judicial institutions and public prosecution agencies. Blawi stressed the need for comprehensive understanding and awareness of AI's various facets, as well as its legal and rights-related implications. He pointed out that while AI holds the potential to enhance judicial performance, its application could also pose risks to rights and freedoms if adequate controls and guarantees are absent. He affirmed that leveraging technological advancements within the justice system must proceed alongside a commitment to protecting human rights, ensuring that AI serves as a tool for enhancing criminal justice rather than undermining legal safeguards or infringing upon individual rights.
Training Initiative Aims at Strengthening Judicial Capacity and Addressing AI Challenges
The training course is part of the strategic plan of the Public Prosecutor's Office for the period from 2026 to 2028, specifically aligned with its second strategic direction focused on reinforcing the protection of rights and freedoms. This initiative continues the implementation of a program aimed at enhancing the capabilities of judges in the field of human rights, which was launched by the Public Prosecutor's Office in 2020. In this context, Blawi noted that training in AI and human rights is an integral part of an ongoing effort to develop the competencies of public prosecution judges, given their pivotal role in safeguarding rights and freedoms and ensuring adherence to the law. Furthermore, he indicated that this training course is part of a series of educational meetings planned across various regions of the Kingdom to promote discussions on the challenges posed by modern technologies in judicial practices.
Samir Marmouri, a representative of the Geneva Centre for Security Governance, which co-organized this program alongside the Public Prosecutor's Office, confirmed that this initiative aims to support Morocco's efforts to enhance governance in the justice sector and develop the professional capacities of judges and legal officials. He elaborated that AI has emerged as a critical issue requiring the attention of judicial institutions at this time, considering the rapid development of its applications and the broadening scope of its use. The training program targets equipping public prosecution judges and legal officials with the necessary knowledge to navigate these technologies within a framework that respects human rights and relevant international standards.
This training course assumes special significance in light of the growing reliance of law enforcement and criminal justice institutions on modern technological tools, which offer new capabilities for crime prevention, detection, and investigation. However, it simultaneously raises fundamental questions regarding the compatibility of such technologies with the principles of the rule of law, fair trial guarantees, and the protection of personal data. The training program is grounded in several international references that frame the ethics of AI and its applications, including the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, the OECD Principles on AI from 2019, and the Council of Europe's framework agreement on AI, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law adopted in 2024, alongside relevant international instruments concerning human rights.
The course aims to enable participants to grasp the basic concepts of AI and its applications in criminal justice, familiarize themselves with the regulatory frameworks and international standards governing its use, and deepen their understanding of its impacts on human rights and procedural guarantees that protect individuals from any inappropriate use of these technologies. Additionally, the program emphasizes the role of judicial authorities in overseeing and monitoring the use of AI, enhancing their capacity to assess its risks and address the practical challenges posed by crimes associated with modern technology. It also encourages the sharing of experiences and practices among participants on achieving a balance between effectiveness in combating crime and respecting rights and freedoms.
The program spans two days, with the first day dedicated to presenting the foundational concepts of AI and reviewing the international normative frameworks governing its applications, alongside discussions on the stakes related to human rights and procedural guarantees. The second day adopts a practical approach through thematic workshops that address the challenges faced by judicial institutions and law enforcement agencies when employing these technologies to combat crime. Issues surrounding personal data protection, respect for privacy, and safeguarding individuals' bodily integrity will receive particular attention throughout the course, along with procedural guarantees, mechanisms for human oversight, accountability, and responsibility when employing AI applications.
This initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing the readiness of judicial officials to keep pace with digital transformations, in an era where technology has become a significant element in investigation, information gathering, and analysis. The primary challenge remains to ensure that these capabilities are employed to serve justice within a legal and ethical framework that upholds human dignity and protects rights, ensuring that modern technological tools do not supplant judicial oversight and the guarantees underpinning fair trial processes.
As reported by fes24.com.
