King Mohammed okays inception of justice and reconciliation commission

Morocco's King Mohammed VI okayed the creation of a "justice and reconciliation commission" recommended by the Human Rights Advisory Council (CCDH) in its 20th session held last October 14, says a press release of the Royal office.

The release reports that the sovereign received this Thursday in Meknes (northeast of Rabat) the CCDH chairman, Omar Azziman, and secretary general, Driss Benzekri, who briefed him on conclusions of the Council's 20th session, especially the unanimously-adopted recommendation calling for the setting up of a "justice and reconciliation commission."

"The commission will be in charge of pursuing the out-of-court settlement of past human rights abuses related to forced disappearances and arbitrary detention. It will also have to complete, within an agreed time-frame, the just and equitable rehabilitation of victims," says the release.

The CCDH chairman was instructed by the sovereign to submit him proposals on the composition of the new commission and the way it will operate, in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 of the Dahir (Royal Decree) on the Council's reform.

The sovereign emphasized again the special attention he attaches to the Council and His eagerness to see it fulfil its new duties. He also congratulated the council members for the quality of the work they have done to secure a final and dispassionate settlement of past human rights abuses, for the adequate preparations for Mohammed VI Human Rights Prize, and for the progress made in drawing up the Citizens Rights and Obligations Charter, called for by the sovereign in the throne speech (last July 30).