Human Rights hold larger place in Moroccan politics, CCDH
Human rights issues have been occupying, during the past years, a more important place in Moroccan politics, according to the independent Moroccan Center for Human Rights (CMDH).
In its report for 2003, presented Saturday at a press conference, CMDH cited achievements in human rights, most importantly the Consultative Council for Human Rights (CCDH), Diwan Al Madhalim (ombudsman), the Commission for Equity and Reconciliation and the Family Code.
However, CMDH also noted several negative points. It deplored public authorities' banning in 2003 of several peaceful sit-ins, calling on the concerned authorities to allow citizens to stage protests in respect of law.
On the Code of the Press, the Center noted it did not meet the requests of professionals nor does it conform to international conventions ratified by Morocco. The Code of the press, it added, did not take into account the developments in information and communication technologies.
The CMDH also raised the issue of individual liberties, praising the royal pardon of detainees held for political reasons. It also hailed the resolve to turn the page of the past through the creation of the Commission for Equity and Reconciliation in charge of out-of-court settlement of past human rights abuses.
CMDH, nevertheless, proposed the amendment of the anti-terror law to guarantee conditions for fair trials in conformity with international standards. This law was enacted in the wake of the terrorist attacks that hit the big city of Casablanca, on May 16, 2003, killing 45 people, including the 12 suicide bombers.
On the other hand, the Center underscored that despite positive initiatives taken by the penitentiary administration for the promotion of prisoners rights and the reform of penitentiary institutions, some negative points still tarnish this sector, notably the overcrowding of jails, malnutrition and the lack of medical care. It called for the implementation of the law regulating penitentiary establishments and for an increase of their budgets.
Other issues like health, child's rights and the status of women were also included in the report.
