Reconciliation commission starts consultations with political parties and trade unions
Morocco, Politics, 11/6/2004

The justice and reconciliation commission, a body set up last January to seek out-of-court settlement for past human rights violations, has started a series of meetings with political parties, trade unions and other professional organizations on the commission action programs, stages covered to date and how it is handling cases it is referred, in preparation for its final report.

These consultations, taking place mid-way of its mandate, seek to collect data, information and proposals to avoid that past breaches and violations recur and take stock of the experience and remarks of political stakeholders.

A member of the commission said they have met so far with the Party for Progress and Socialism (former communist party, now in government) and the Istiqlal party (right wing also in government). Additional meetings are scheduled with other parties.

These encounters are held in conformity with the commission statute which stipulates that it should associate all social sectors.

If the upcoming meetings, said the commission member, are held in the same atmosphere, it will provide a considerable contribution to fulfil the commission goals and guarantee a sound, accurate and rational interpretation of the past, avoid recurrence of past events and recover trust in the rule of law.

He added that the commission seeks to open a wide debate on several issues related to legal, legislative and constitutional aspects, guarantees for the spread of human rights culture and education and other requisites for the consolidation of the democratic state construction process and protection of society.

As the commission is on mid-way of its mandate, it is focussing its activities on drafting the final report and ruling on cases submitted by human rights violations victims. It will also hold public hearings and publish the results of its work on past serious human rights abuses, such as forced disappearance and arbitrary detention.

Previous Stories:
  Human Rights Watch notes impressive strides in rights and backsliding   (10/22/2004)
  Moroccan experience in justice and the rule of law, praised by special adviser to UNSG   (10/8/2004)
  Resolving problem of prisons overcrowding is top priority of Justice Ministry   (8/19/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search