Moroccan association calls for independent body to investigate cases of forced disappearance

A Moroccan association "the Forum for Freedom and Justice" has called for the creation of an independent body, enjoying the trust of victims to investigate cases of forced disappearance and arbitrary detention.

The association's chairman, Driss Benzekri, said in a press conference such a body is of crucial importance if Morocco wants to turn the page of the past. He also asked that corpses of persons who died in custody be given back to the families and free the missing persons who are still alive.

Vice-chairman of the association, Salah Ouadie, said they are seeking revenge, stating that pardon and reconciliation are the right of victims provided that the truth is revealed and that authors of human rights violations are identified, accountable and that official apologies be made to victims who should receive compensation according to international standards.

Ouadie also rejected the approach adopted by the Human Rights Advisory Council during its session of April 1999 and held it responsible for the current deadlock in the issue of compensation of victims of human rights violations.

He insisted that compensation is a right guaranteed by the law and international conventions and said the forum will not accept a compensation if silence is kept on the responsibility of state employees, the truth is hidden, torturers are pardoned and victims punished.

He added that the forum wants to set up a center for the preservation of the memory of human rights abuses and has decided to commemorate October 29 as "the day of Moroccan martyr."

Set up last November, the Forum for Truth and Justice, comprises victims of forced disappearance and arbitrary detention and their families.