Morocco 'pioneer' in transitional justice and human rights, Algerian NGO

An Algerian human rights NGO delegation said in Rabat Thursday the Moroccan experience in transitional justice and human rights is "pioneer."

In a statement to the Moroccan TV channel "TVM," the delegation, which represents the families of people who disappeared or endured terrorism in Algeria, said it inquired about the work of Morocco's Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER).

IER was set up at the beginning of 2004 with the mission of seeking out-of-court settlement of past human rights violations.

The delegation voiced hope to hold a meeting in Algeria that will bring together representatives of the civil society to discuss a national reconciliation.

The Algerian delegation's visit to Morocco was part of a two-day workshop (June 28-29) initiated by the Freedom House organization, the International Center for Transitional Justice and the Arab Institute for Human Rights.

The workshop was an opportunity to discuss issues related to human rights and transitional justice.

The Algerian NGOs taking part in the workshop endeavour to develop a national reconciliation model in Algeria in harmony with the political and historical context in the country to settle human rights violations committed during the years of violence that wracked Algeria in the nineties.