The Moroccan National Human Rights Council (CNDH) began conducting DNA tests on Wednesday to confirm the identities of individuals buried in unmarked graves at the former illegal detention center of Tazmamart. The move comes after nearly two decades of appeals from families seeking closure and justice for their loved ones.
The DNA testing, which will continue throughout the week, is being carried out with the cooperation of the victims’ families, according to a statement from the CNDH.
Families have been organized into several groups, including elderly relatives who will undergo testing at home supervised by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Tazmamart, a secret prison in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, housed political prisoners and became a symbol of oppression in the country’s modern history. It is located near the city of Er-Rich, between Errachidia and Midelt.
The operation has been made possible by recent technological advances, allowing for the extraction of DNA from degraded bone samples. The CNDH thanked the families for their participation, emphasizing that their involvement aligns with international and national laws, particularly concerning personal data protection.
The Council commanded the “recognized international expertise of the National Genetic Laboratory of the Scientific Police,” part of the General Directorate of National Security, for its crucial role in the process.
In July 2023, the CNDH received positive results from an international genetic laboratory in Nantes, France, where bone samples from presumed victims had been analyzed. The results were a breakthrough, as earlier efforts to extract DNA from the highly degraded samples had failed. The successful extraction in Nantes paved the way for further testing of other similar samples.
CNDH stated that the testing is part of its ongoing efforts to implement the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER), established to address human rights violations committed during Morocco’s Years of Lead. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the IER.
The results of the DNA tests will be given to the families as soon as they are available, with the CNDH reaffirming its commitment to supporting all victims and their families.