Morocco publishes list of amnestied detainees and missing persons

Morocco made public on Thursday a list of 28 detainees, amnestied by King Hassan II, and another list of 56 dead persons.

The Human Rights Advisory Council (CCDH), which released the lists, said the 28 amnestied persons had been serving prison sentences for various crimes of public law violations and, thus, the term political detainee does not apply to their cases.

The CCDH added that a council commission will continue studying the cases of 12 detainees, beloging to the so-called "group of the students of Oujda (eastern Morocco)."

Regarding the missing persons, the CCDH said there are 112 cases. Some 56 of these persons died, 12 others are still alive, enjoying freedom, and some of them live abroad. The fate and the identity of 44 others is still unkown. Thirteen among the latter have no link with political nor unionist activities.

Last Monday, the CCDH announced that 28 "political" detainees will be released shortly.

The Council submitted to King Hassan II an opinion for the liberation of these 28 detainees and the sovereign approved the CCDH opinion, the CCDH chairman, Driss Dahhak, had told reporters in Rabat.

Last week, King Hassan II announced Morocco's "firm determination" to definitively clear its human rights record in the six coming months.

"It is our determination to definitively clear the human rights record in the six coming months," King Hassan II told the opening of the fall session of the Moroccan Parliament.

The Council, set up by the King in 1990, is a national institution in charge of protecting and promoting human rights and consolidating a human rights culture in Morocco.

The council, which is independent from the legislative, executive and judiciary powers, issues consultative opinions that are submitted to the king.

The council, wherein all the trends of the civil society are represented, is chaired by the president of the supreme court and includes 5 ministers.