Serfaty's return will mobilize civil society, Youssoufi says
Morocco, Politics, 10/2/1999

The return of opposition figure Abraham Serfaty is a relief and will contribute to mobilizing civil society in favor of Morocco's present experience under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Prime Minister Youssoufi said.

"Serfaty's return is part of the settlement of all pending issues and we hail the Royal decision of His Majesty who paved the way for this return," Youssoufi told his party's daily, Al-Ittihad Al-Ichtiraqi.

Serfaty, 73, is a Casablanca-born Jew. He was expelled to France in 1991 after he spent 17 years in jail for attempt against state security. His return to Morocco came in response to a letter he sent to King Mohammed VI on September 21, wherein he appealed to the king to "allow him to return home and resume his place in the process under way, for the building of a modern and democratic Morocco, under His Majesty's leadership."

Youssoufi made the statement after calling on Serfaty at his residence in a Rabat Hotel. He said that he had been confident that Serfaty "would return to Morocco sooner or later."

The royal decision to allow Serfaty back home will consolidate Morocco's image at the international scene as a country determined to move ahead with efforts to consolidate democracy and the rule of law, Youssoufi said.

Relatedly, Moroccan human rights bodies, namely LMDH and OMDH lauded Serfaty's return and voiced hope to see similar initiatives taken to close once and for all the human rights dossiers.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan opponent serfaty returns home   (10/1/1999)
  Christine Serfaty turned back at Rabat airport for National security reasons   (5/5/1999)
  There are no political prisoners in Morocco, Minister   (3/8/1999)

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