Amnesty International chief lauds Morocco's human rights progress
The chief of the London-based human rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) on Monday lauded the progress scored by Morocco in human rights fields.
"We are leaving Morocco with a feeling of optimism in view of the progress made by this country in human rights realms," AI secretary general, Pierre Sane, said at a press conference in Rabat.
Sane is visiting Morocco at the head of a high-ranking delegation that attended Saturday a ceremony during which Amnesty International-Morocco has been granted the status of Amnesty International section to mark the achievement made by its members in the field of promotion and protection of human rights.
Sane said the talks he held with Moroccan officials, especially with premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, and human rights minister, Mohamed Aujjar, showed "the existence of a genuine will in this field, the Moroccan officials being perfectly aware of their international duties."
The AI chief said he was happy to see the progress Morocco made in three years (since the last visit he paid to Morocco in 1998). Several dossiers were settled and several NGOs were created, he said.
Sane said he voiced his concern to Youssoufi on certain pending issues, adding he handed the Moroccan premier a list of 450 people reported missing.
The human rights watchdog boss said his organization has "peaceful relations" with Morocco, based on cooperation and constructive dialogue.
The promotion of the Morocco branch into a section is a token of trust and will help the Morocco section continue its action in a legitimate and serene frame, San? said, adding Morocco, thus, joins a group of 50 sections in the world and becomes a full-fledged member that participates in decision-making and in the election of the AI executive committee.
"With the collaboration of our friends from the Morocco section, we wish to continue our struggle against impunity, injustice and all forms of human rights violations," he said, before voicing hope that Morocco will join the fight to promote human rights in other countries.