Rights body hails intention to abolish capital punishment in Morocco

The Moroccan Association of Human Rights Defense (AMDH, independent) has lauded the intention expressed by the Moroccan government to abrogate capital punishment.

The statement made recently by justice minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa on the abrogation of capital punishment, is a "positive step," AMDH President, Abdelhamid Amine, said.

Though still provided for in Moroccan laws, capital punishment has seldom been applied in the North African country.

Justice Minister had told the press earlier this week that he backs the abolition of the death penalty. "I would be among those who will applaud the abolition of capital punishment in Morocco," said Bouzoubaa, who is also a leading figure of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP, one of Morocco's powerful parties). The minister's statement were seen as "courageous."

According to AMDH chief, the justice minister's statement is "democratic and positive." "We have been fighting for the abolition of the death penalty."

According to Amine, 152 people are sentenced to capital punishment in Morocco. "We have asked not to carry out and execute these sentences," he said, adding "it is in conformity with AMDH claim concerning Morocco's ratification of the additive protocol to the international pact that abrogates the death penalty."

"It is not only a claim of the AMDH, but also that of other associations of human rights defense in Morocco," Amine said.