Regression in human rights despite breakthroughs in Morocco, NGO
Morocco, Politics, 5/11/2005

Morocco has achieved since the start of the 90s major breakthroughs in human rights promotion but has also recorded some regressions, according to the "Centre Marocain des droits de l'homme" (CMDH).

The NGO that presented its 2004 report at its general assembly held here over the weekend, noted "relapses" in public freedoms and economic, social and cultural rights.

"Despite the Moroccan constitution provisions that provide for the respect of a set of public freedoms, mainly those related to movement, meetings, opinion, expression, creation of associations, membership to political parties and to trade unions, these freedoms and rights are not applied appropriately," says a center member.

The report also touched on women's condition explaining that despite huge efforts to improve their status, "women continue to experience precarious social conditions, worsened by poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, in addition to cultural obstacles that hinder their integration in society."

As far as the situation of children is concerned, the report notes the progression of ill treatment and sexual exploitation of children, ascribing this to poverty, poor means to help and protect children and, particularly to the non-observance of international conventions on children rights and protection.

The CMDH noted however progress in human rights mentioning, in this regard, the release of several political prisoners, the creation of a set of institutions to protect human rights, such as Administrative Courts, the Human Rights Consultative Council, Diwan Al Madhalim (ombudsman), the Higher Council for the Audio-Visual Sector and the Justice and Reconciliation Commission (IER).

The NGO also cited the various laws adopted to broaden the scope of rights and freedoms, including the new Criminal Law, the new Family Code, the Labor Code, in addition to amendments seeking to consolidating the rights of women and children.

Concerning economic and social rights, the report observes that except for some partial gains (compulsory health insurance, the new family code and the labor code), economic and social rights have not evolved, as a result of the Moroccan economy weak growth.

The CMDH was set up in 1999 with the initial aim to carry out studies in human rights action, before getting, two years later, more involved in disseminating and protecting human rights.

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