Equity and Reconciliation committee's aim to seek truth

The aim of the new "Equity and Reconciliation" committee set up by the Moroccan Consultative Council of Human Rights (CCDH) with the King's approval, is to seek truth and shed light on human rights violations committed in the past in Morocco, said, here Saturday, CCDH Secretary General.

Driss Benzekri who was addressing a meeting of the "Forum for the Truth and Justice," attended by Moroccan and French NGOs and human rights activists, said this committee will look into past human rights violations such as forced disappearances and arbitrary detentions, in response to demands of the families of the victims.

Benzekri who insisted that the victims will not only be compensated but also rehabilitated, said the "equity and reconciliation" committee will present at the end of its mandate, a report with full details on the different causes, political motivations and responsibilities for these violations committed during the past forty years, before making proposals to authorities that will have to make the appropriate decisions in this issue.

He insisted on the autonomy of this committee and deplored the "exaggerations," the "ideological stances" and the "political exploitation" by some people of this issue, saying that the state encourages all people to participate in the committee's works.

Other people took the floor at this meeting, notably former chairman of Amnesty International Denys Robilliard who said the work accomplished by the CCDH so far is a "premiere in the Maghreb even if it is not perfect."