Morocco's premier: consolidating human rights is endless process
Morocco, Culture, 12/11/2001

Consolidating human rights in Morocco is an endless process, said Morocco's premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, who stressed that despite assets much needs to be improved.

The premier, who presided the launching of the generalization of human rights education program on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the human rights universal declaration, cited the existence of a firm political will, materialized by efforts by the king and the government, as an evidence to the resolve to consolidate human rights respect in Morocco. Initiatives taken in this regard are proofs of a strong political will that cannot be shaken by regrettable errors nor by isolated breaches, he insisted.

He also surveyed human rights assets and gains in Morocco achieved thanks to the struggle of democratic forces and non-governmental organizations and hailed in this regard the King's decision to create an ombudsman office (Diwan Al-Madhalim). He also praised the enlargement of civil liberties, the release of political detainees, the amnesty of exiled opponents, while regretting that the whereabouts of some missing persons remains unknown. He urged for carrying out efforts to shed light on these issues in parallel with the state process to compensate victims of past human rights abuses. He recalled that a total of 590 million DH (US$ 51.3 Mln) was paid to compensate up to 1,100 victims of forced disappearance and arbitrary imprisonment

Youssoufi also recalled the government's resolve to honor commitments, citing the settlement of the administrative and financial situation of workers fired or suspended for their trade union activism.

For Moroccan human rights minister, Mohamed Aujjar, while the government's achievements in human rights matters deserve to be praised, the balance sheet remains modest compared to hopes pinned on the government.

The minister told Arabic daily "Assabah" these achievements which appear very positive compared to the past situation are actually the fruit of the will of all the Moroccans -king, government and people.

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