Human rights abuses victims compensation stems from consolidation of rule of law and democratic institutions, dahhak
Morocco, Culture, 7/19/2000

Decisions announced on Monday by the independent body in charge of compensations to victims of arbitrary detention and to families of missing persons are stemming from the consolidation of the rule of law and the institutions, said head of the Human Rights Advisory Council (CCDH), Driss Dahhak.

In an interview with the Moroccan TV channel "TVM," Dahhak hoped that the issue of human rights abuses in Morocco would be definitively closed so as to address other issues, such as economic, social and cultural rights and fight against poverty, exclusion, unemployment, illiteracy and ignorance.

On Monday, a Moroccan commission, set up last August by King Mohammed VI to extend compensations for victims of arbitrary detention and inheritors of missing people, announced compensations, amounting to $ 14 million (140 million Dirhams) to 68 cases.

The commissions comprises three judges, four CCDH members, a delegate of the interior ministry and a delegate of the justice ministry and chaired by a justice.

Hailing the important stages covered in closing the issue of missing people and victims of abusive detention, the commission said the final settlement of the issue is a long process requiring much patience and perseverance.

Compensations, which ranged between $ 100,000 and $ 250,000 for each claimant were calculated on the basis of the age of the person, updated salary he/she used to get before detention, and family members under the plaintiff's responsibility. The commission has handled 5,819 complaints since it was incepted last August and up to last January 3, last deadline for receiving complaints.

Dahhak also described the decisions as a historic event in the evolution of human rights in Morocco and as the fruit of a process started in 1990 when the CCDH was created by the late king Hassan II.

After he recalled that king Mohammed VI in his first throne speech (July 30, 1999) renewed Morocco's attachment to human rights and to the rule of law and that his first decision was the inception of an independent compensation commission, Dahhak praised the role of Moroccan human rights organizations for their role and support. He added that the CCDH started its proceedings in April 1998 on the basis of statistics on the number of missing people submitted by Moroccan and international human rights organizations.

To a question on existing procedures to appeal the commission's decisions, he answered that the king had made it clear that there should be no delays in handling the issue and that it was imperative to opt for the most efficient way, which is arbitration. Regarding the future of the CCDH, he hoped that all human rights issues will be settled so as to start focusing on economic, social and cultural rights.

A member of the commission, Mohamed Seddiki, stressed in a statement to the second Moroccan TV channel 2M that members are working in a totally independent and neutral way and are ready to examine all files.

Seddiki explained that almost all the cases settled concern a category of the Tazmamart center, adding that the commission's future task will be easier as clear criteria for the processing of cases were adopted on the basis of other countries' experiences.

Following the release of results, relatives of some victims expressed satisfaction that the issue is beginning to be settled. For Sanae, daughter of the late Mohamed Aidi who spent 28 years in prison, this is all owed to king Mohammed VI who, as soon as he was enthroned, thought of indemnifying the victims who suffered a lot. She added that this is an indication to an acknowledgement that there was an error and injustice. For her sister, Hind, nothing can compensate the loss of a father.

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