Draft law on political parties 'crucial' to rationalize political life, CMDH

President of the Moroccan Human Rights Center (CMDH), Khalid Cherkaoui Semmouni, said Saturday the draft law on political parties is "crucial" to rationalize the political scene in Morocco.

The draft law, spelled out by King Mohammed VI last October at the opening of the parliament fall session, seeks to improve the management of political parties and set in place foundations for the parties' action in respect of the democratic and modernist project pursued by Morocco.

Semmouni said at a meeting that the draft law provisions will contribute to regulating the political landscape and to promoting citizens' participation in public life.

CMDH president noted that several Moroccan political parties face problems at the level of organization which, he said, hinders their mission. He went on to say that the State should give up its "narrow vision" in order to give more credibility to political actions, rehabilitate parties and conciliate citizens with political actions.

Semmouni deplored that the draft law on parties, to be discussed by parliament in the current legislative year, contains some provisions that "limit" the liberty to create parties which is, in his opinion, a step backward compared to the assets gained by the Dahir (decree) of 1958.

The reform of parties, he stressed, should be part of a global reform that is instituted prior to the edification of the rule of law and the establishment of transparent institutions. Morocco's interest, he said, consists in political pluralism and the difference of opinions, stances and references.