Moroccan Human Rights association presents annual report for 2003
Morocco, Politics, 4/8/2004

The Moroccan Human Rights Association (AMDH) presented in Rabat Tuesday its annual report on the human rights situation in Morocco.

On this occasion, AMDH chairman, Abdelhamid Amine, told the Moroccan TV channel "TVM" the year 2003 was marked by the adoption of the family code that makes men and women equal in rights and duties in marriage and divorce and restricts polygamy to very specific cases. The Code, adopted early this year by the parliament, aims at promoting the situation of women in society.

For Amine, the royal pardon granted to several political prisoners last January was also a step forward in human rights promotion in Morocco as well as the creation of the Equity and Reconciliation committee that is in charge of out-of-court settlement of past human rights breaches, notably forced disappearances and arbitrary detentions.

Director of the Moroccan branch of Amnesty International, Mohamed Sektaoui, said the international organization "hails Morocco's efforts in human rights regardless of some negative points in the report."

"Significant developments were registered in human rights education," he added.

AMDH report comprises three chapters dealing with various issues including "the situation in prisons," "kidnapping," "personal security" and "the right to life."

The 265-page document also discusses women and children's rights and includes a report on immigration.

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