Page of past human rights violations in Morocco should be turned, political party

The "dark page" of human rights violations committed in the past should be turned in a "civilized and modern context," said first secretary of the Socialist Union for Popular Forces (USFP), Mohamed El Yazghi.

The State has recognized its responsibility by creating the Reconciliation and Equity Commission, El Yazghi underlined in an interview published Monday by "Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb" daily.

The Reconciliation and Equity Commission was set up last November 6 to pursue out-of-court settlement of past human rights abuses related to forced disappearances and arbitrary detention, and to complete a fair and equitable rehabilitation of victims.

"Forgiveness allows to go ahead towards a new phase, where Moroccans act within a democratic and modern framework, and give up all the methods that blemished the history of the country."

"It is up to the concerned families and parties to take legal action if they think it necessary, but as a party, we understand and back the move of the Commission," he said.

The Commission is not a court, it is first and foremost in charge of "telling the truth about breaches and abuses," he pointed out, adding that his party "backs the Commission and will help it in all domains, especially in testimonies."