Past rights violations hindered economic development in some Moroccan regions

Some regions in Morocco have been affected by human rights violations committed in the past, and were hence unable to benefit from economic development projects launched in the country, said a human rights activist.

These areas include the Rif region (north), Imilchil (central south), Khenifra (central Morocco), Beni Mellal (central), Azilal (high Atlas) and Agdez (central south) which were strongly affected by human rights violations that occurred in the region and by the marginalization of this area, said Mahjoub Al Hiba, member of the Justice and Reconciliation Commission (IER), set up in January 2004 to look into cases of "disappearance" and arbitrary detention which occurred between 1956 and 1999.

Al Hiba made this statement during the 3rd dialogue session that is organized in parallel with public hearings into human rights breaches that started on December 21. The session was devoted to the reforms that Morocco has to undertake to address economic and social imbalances that lingered after the past human rights violations.

IER called for rehabilitating these regions through dialogue with their populations and local authorities in order to identify the most urgent development projects, which the Commission will submit to public authorities.

Al Hiba said the State is currently carrying out projects in these areas notably in electricity, roads, fighting poverty and unhealthy housing, so as to break their isolation.