Democracy, rule of law, pillars of Morocco's policy, minister

Moroccan human rights minister, Mohamed Aujjar, asserted in Tunis Tuesday that democracy and the rule of law are the pillars of Morocco's policy.

Speaking at the third Arab congress on children's rights, he said this policy, followed under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, enabled the realization of important breakthroughs and the consolidation of human rights culture and values that are inspired from Islam teachings.

He recalled in this vein the reform of the family code, which he described as a "revolutionary project" and a "turning point" in the history of Morocco.

The amended code, he said, reinforces women's participation in the development process and their role in a society imbued with the values of Islam.

The minister insisted that the reformed family code, currently under scrutiny in parliament, is based on equity, human dignity, justice, gender equality and the guarantee of women and children's rights.

The minister also recalled the creation last November of the Equity and Reconciliation commission that is in charge of pursuing out-of-court settlement of past human rights violations.

The Commission, he pointed out, aims to definitively close the "thorny" human rights issue in Morocco.