Revisiting past human rights violations to win the bet of the future, intellectuals and political leaders
Morocco, Politics, 12/24/2004

Several intellectual and political leaders deemed that making a "mature reading" of past human rights violations is a "pedagogical instrument" to turn the painful pages of the past and face the future with more confidence.

In statements to MAP following the second session of public hearings into human rights violations that occurred in Morocco between 1956 and 1999, the Moroccan figures highlighted the importance of this "bold initiative that puts Moroccans face to face with their past."

For Nabil Benabdellah, Communication Minister, Government spokesman and member of the political bureau of the Party for Progress and Socialism, "these public hearings are putting difficult periods of Morocco's history in the hands of Moroccans" to analyze and study them so that they never occur again.

These hearings, he stressed, are a lesson on the need to build a democratic and political culture based on democratic management of difference.

Benabdellah went on that political and civil society actors count on these hearings to play a pedagogical role and deepen democratic culture, together with the existing legal and institutional arsenal.

On his part, Mostapha Ramid, from the Justice and Development Party (PJD), hailed the initiative which, he says, will "shed light on painful realities." He considered the sessions as a prelude to unveil truths about a period when political actors used violence instead of law, opening the way to serious human rights breaches.

For politologist Mohamed Tozy, those are "moments of intensive emotion shared by all."

Tozy stressed that these hearings, that "are extremely rich at the political level," inform us on the diversity of crisis moments and on our ability to manage violence through political means, highlighting the optimistic and hopeful notes in the accounts despite the plight experienced by victims and their relatives.

These hearings should also be studied by historians and analysts, he went on, insisting that the responsibility of intellectuals and of the media is even greater to make of these sessions a moment to build a new political culture.

For journalist Hamid Berrada, the public hearings are "useful and courageous" since an honest reading of the past will help for a better understanding of the future.

For the journalists, political actors are as much responsible as authorities in the abuses, while Latifa Jbabdi, a member of the IER and also a former detainee, considered these hearings as a unique historical moment that would greatly impact the political process in Morocco.

They are also an opportunity for future generations to know about efforts made to build the rule of law, deepen the respect of human rights, she went.

The hearings will wind up with a report that will float a set of recommendations and proposals on institutional, legislative and political reforms meant to consolidate the rule of law.

Previous Stories:
  Victims of Human rights deliver poignant testimonies of sufferings   (12/23/2004)
  Hearings of HR abuses victims: Morocco starts unique experience in Arab-Islamic world   (12/23/2004)
  ICTJ welcomes start of public hearings for victims of human rights abuses in Morocco   (12/23/2004)

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