Equity and Reconciliation Commission satisfied with authorities' cooperation
Morocco, Politics, 9/30/2004

The Equity and Reconciliation Commission, in charge of out-of-court settlement of past human rights abuses, said it was "very satisfied" with the level of cooperation of public authorities.

The Commission said the different government bodies were cooperative in its efforts to settle cases of forced disappearances and deaths, whose victims' fate is still unknown, ERC president, Driss Benzekri, said Tuesday.

Speaking at the closure of a conference on "Definitive settlement of past human rights abuses: the role of the ERC," Benzekri said public authorities expressed their views very clearly on the different cases, which, he said, was "a very significant sign," especially that the commission's mission relies greatly on knowing the truth.

Obstacles hampering the Commission's work are management and organization-related, he said, denying that "torture is still going in Morocco after the May 16 terrorist attacks."

He conceded however the existence of human rights violations, but which were not as serious as in the past.

According to Benzekri, ERC is currently preparing draft recommendations that would take into account as many opinions and analyses as possible.

The president of the Commission also called political and human rights bodies and civil society to open up to the Equity and Reconciliation Commission and remain updated on the work it is doing.

The Commission was set up last November 6 to pursue out-of-court settlement of past human rights abuses related to forced disappearances and arbitrary detention and complete a fair and equitable rehabilitation of victims.

Previous Stories:
  Page of past human rights violations in Morocco should be turned, political party   (9/29/2004)
  Morocco to celebrate 5th anniversary of Throne Day   (7/30/2004)
  Human Rights hold larger place in Moroccan politics, CCDH   (6/22/2004)

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