Human rights in Morocco
Encyclopedia
Morocco’s human rights record is mixed. On the one hand, Morocco
has made considerable improvements since the repressive Years of Lead
under King Hassan II's reign (1961–99), but under his modernizing son, Mohammed VI
, there are still complaints about abuses of power
.
This article deals with Morocco and not the disputed Western Sahara
. See Human rights in Western Sahara
in that regard. Morocco administers 80% of the territory, hence Moroccan law applies to its "Southern Provinces
".
’s most recent elections for the lower chamber of parliament
in September 2002 and for local government councils in September 2003—were widely regarded as mostly free and fair, but in view of the dominant role of the king in politics
, Moroccans lack the ability to change their government.
is relatively good compared with most other North African and Middle Eastern countries, though many journalists are thought to practice self-censorship
. Questioning the legitimacy of the monarchy
is a taboo. The debate on political Islam is severely restricted and it is illegal to question the kingdom's "territorial integrity
", i.e. the virtual annexation
of the Western Sahara
. In 2005 the well known Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet
was "banned from practising journalism for 10 years" and fined 50,000 Dirhams (about 4,500 euros) for reporting about conflict in the Western Sahara, according to Reporters Without Borders. As of 2007 Lmrabet is still barred from working as a journalist.
With the appearance in the scene of a few independent francophone magazines, such as Tel Quel
and Le Journal Hebdomadaire
and their sister Arabic counterparts (i.e. Assahifa Al Ousbouia
), government control over the media has moved somewhat from direct intervention to more subtle pressures, such as the use of law suits and libel cases.
On May 2, 2007 the New York City-based NGO Committee to Protect Journalists
published their annual report on the "10 countries where press freedom has most deteriorated" where it has reported that Morocco has "back slided" in terms of press freedom in 2007 after "having been considered as a leader in its region". In the report, Morocco was considered, along with Tunisia, as the country which "sentences the most journalists to prison in the Arab world".
According to the 2009 Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders
has ranked Morocco 127 out of 175.
(Les Années de Plomb), and included forced disappearance
s, killings of government opponents and secret interment camps such as Tazmamart
. To examine the abuses committed during the reign of King Hassan II (1961–1999), the government has set up an Equity and Reconciliation Commission
(IER), which is to rehabilitate the victims, and pay compensation for state outrages against them. This has been hailed internationally as a big step forward, and an example to the Arab world
. However, the IER has also come under attack from parts of the human rights-community, since its mission was not to reveal the identities of or prosecute human rights offenders, which most of the victims were requesting.
There are also persistent allegations of violence against Sahrawi pro-independence
and pro-Polisario demonstrators
in Western Sahara, considered by Morocco as its Southern Provinces
, and Morocco has been accused of detaining Sahrawi independentists as prisoners of conscience.
In May 2006 a delegation from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) visited the disputed territory of Western Sahara and its report from the visit sharply criticized the lack of basic human rights in the region, in particular regarding the Saharawi population. The secret report has been leaked and can be found at for example ARSO.org.
Later the same year, in October, Morocco stopped a planned and earlier agreed visit of a delegation from the European Parliament. The decision came less than 48 hours before the delegation was to leave for Rabat and Western Sahara. The mission was to study alleged human rights violations from both Polisario and the Moroccan authorities. (texts in English and French).
Morocco claimed that the majority of the members of the delegation were known supporters of the Polisario front, and thus the neutrality of the delegation was not assured. The president of the delegation, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, contested these allegations saying the composition of the group was not for Morocco to decide, and besides Morocco had already earlier accepted the composition of the group and had furthermore been allowed to influence its visiting program.
is generally observed, with some limitations. Although Islam
is the official state religion, Moroccans are permitted to practice other faiths, but it is illegal for Muslims to renounce Islam. Therefore, restrictions apply to Christian
proselytizing. Political activities under the rubric of Islam are also restricted by the state. There still exists a Moroccan Jewish community, although most Jews emigrated in the years following the creation of Israel
in 1948.
In parallel, and in September 2006, a national observatory to fight violence against women
was founded. Many state departments, administrations, universities as well as national female associations are sought to coordinate efforts together.
In 2006, the Moroccan citizenship
was transferred to the children via the father. Soumya Naâmane Guessous
, a Moroccan sociologist has launched a campaign for the transmission of Moroccan citizenship by the mother to her children. The ability for mother to pass their citizenship onto their children does not appear in the Mudawana code but was granted by a royal decision in October 2006.
Recently, in 2009, new legislation has also allowed women to divorce their husbands without the consent of the husband.
, their unique language and culture are being repressed in favor of an Arab one. This is viewed as discrimination and method of marginalization.
However, on October 17, 2001 the Royal institute of the Amazigh culture
was founded to maintain and develop the Amazigh languages and culture.
(GUS) (Urban Security Groups) police unit was disbanded.
While many Moroccans regarded the presence of GUS as a relief, many others considered it as a step back to the rule of the Makhzen
.
The disbanding came after many criticisms about excesses or abuses of power
were noted. Some irresponsible actions of certain members of the unit turned over the public opinion which became discreditory.
GUS were also accused of corruption
. In many cases, civil offenders used to pay a bribe (between 10 and 20 dirhams
) which led to the appearance of the popular nickname; "10 drahem".
and extrajudicial executions.
Discussing the issue in Morocco has been taboo for decades. However, human rights organizations and some liberal media outlets and left-wing political parties led by the Front of Democratic Forces
have been attempting to start a capital punishment debate
. As for societal and civil movements, blogs and websites have already started debating the issue. The main and the newly created (2003) civil entity Coalition nationale pour l’abolition de la peine de mort au Maroc (CNAPM) (National coalition for the abolition of capital punishment in Morocco) which represents seven associations carrying the slogan Ensemble pour l'abolition de la peine de mort (Together against capital punishment) is also leading the debate.
At the political level the situation is paradoxical. Officially, the attitude of the current government is for "de facto" abolition. However, the Ministry of Justice has declared that terrorism is still an obstacle to "de jure" abolition and death sentences are still being handed down, especially against terrorists. It should be noted that the abolition issue was recommended by the Board of the IER Equity and Reconciliation Commission.
In October 2006, it was announced that the issue is scheduled to be presented to the parliament
for a vote in spring 2007. A political battle between moderate Islamist
parties led by the Justice and Development Party
(who advocate the death sentence as being consistent with Sharia
laws) and leftist parties is expected to be difficult for both.
in May 2003, human rights
groups accused Morocco of mistreating and torturing
detainees. Some Moroccan and international media have also alleged that the country has established CIA internment camps ("black site
s") on its territory, where human rights violations are committed. On September 2006, activists demanded that Morocco acknowledge the existence of such secret detention centers.
Prior to that, Human Rights Watch
's Vanessa Saenen had declared on 2005 We have information based on interviews from people who have been in Guantanamo Bay that there are secret detention centres. Even the US government doesn’t bother to hide this, and we have information from released prisoners on Jordan, on Morocco, on Egypt and Libya, but not on Romania and Poland.
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
has made considerable improvements since the repressive Years of Lead
Years of Lead (Morocco)
The Years of Lead is the term used especially by former opponents to the rule of King Hassan II of Morocco to describe a period of his rule marked by state violence against dissidents and democracy activists.-Timeframe:...
under King Hassan II's reign (1961–99), but under his modernizing son, Mohammed VI
Mohammed VI of Morocco
Mohammed VI is the present King of Morocco and Amir al-Mu'minin . He ascended to the throne on 23 July 1999 upon the death of his father.-Education:...
, there are still complaints about abuses of power
Abuse of Power
Abuse of Power is a novel written by radio talk show host Michael Savage.- Plot :Jack Hatfield is a hardened former war correspondent who rose to national prominence for his insightful, provocative commentary...
.
This article deals with Morocco and not the disputed Western Sahara
Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Its surface area amounts to . It is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world, mainly...
. See Human rights in Western Sahara
Human rights in Western Sahara
Morocco sees Western Sahara as its Southern Provinces. Morocco considers the Polisario Front as a separatist movement given the Moroccan origins of many of its leaders, and a puppet in the hands of Algeria....
in that regard. Morocco administers 80% of the territory, hence Moroccan law applies to its "Southern Provinces
Southern Provinces
The Southern Provinces or Moroccan Sahara are the terms used by Morocco for Western Sahara, in reference to the part of Western Sahara that lies to the west of the Moroccan Berm...
".
Democracy and elections
MoroccoMorocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
’s most recent elections for the lower chamber of parliament
Assembly of Representatives of Morocco
The Moroccan Parliament has two chambers. The Assembly of Representatives has 325 members elected for a five year term, 295 elected in multi-seat constituencies and 30 in national lists consisting only of women. The other chamber is the Assembly of Councillors.-See also:* Assembly of Councillors*...
in September 2002 and for local government councils in September 2003—were widely regarded as mostly free and fair, but in view of the dominant role of the king in politics
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
, Moroccans lack the ability to change their government.
Freedom of expression
Freedom of the pressFreedom of the press
Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials...
is relatively good compared with most other North African and Middle Eastern countries, though many journalists are thought to practice self-censorship
Self-censorship
Self-censorship is the act of censoring or classifying one's own work , out of fear of, or deference to, the sensibilities of others, without overt pressure from any specific party or institution of authority...
. Questioning the legitimacy of the monarchy
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
is a taboo. The debate on political Islam is severely restricted and it is illegal to question the kingdom's "territorial integrity
Territorial integrity
Territorial integrity is the principle under international law that nation-states should not attempt to promote secessionist movements or to promote border changes in other nation-states...
", i.e. the virtual annexation
Annexation
Annexation is the de jure incorporation of some territory into another geo-political entity . Usually, it is implied that the territory and population being annexed is the smaller, more peripheral, and weaker of the two merging entities, barring physical size...
of the Western Sahara
Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Its surface area amounts to . It is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world, mainly...
. In 2005 the well known Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet
Ali Lmrabet
Ali Lmrabet is a Moroccan journalist and a member of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights.He came from a modest Berber family, was born in a small village called Adouz near Al-Hoceima in north Morocco. He was schooled at the International Israelite Alliance which sponsored people from...
was "banned from practising journalism for 10 years" and fined 50,000 Dirhams (about 4,500 euros) for reporting about conflict in the Western Sahara, according to Reporters Without Borders. As of 2007 Lmrabet is still barred from working as a journalist.
With the appearance in the scene of a few independent francophone magazines, such as Tel Quel
Tel Quel (Morocco)
TelQuel , is a French-language Moroccan weekly magazine. It is privately owned, and is known for its resolute opposition to Islamist ideology in Morocco...
and Le Journal Hebdomadaire
Le Journal Hebdomadaire
Le Journal Hebdomadaire , was a French language, Moroccan weekly magazine, published between 1997 and 2010 . It had an Arabic language counterpart called Assahifa Al Ousbouia.-Background:It is privately owned, and has an independent and critical editorial line against the Moroccan government...
and their sister Arabic counterparts (i.e. Assahifa Al Ousbouia
Assahifa Al Ousbouia
Assahifa Al Ousbouia is an Arabic language weekly magazine in Morocco.The paper is a sister publication of Le Journal Hebdomadaire.It publishes 23 000 copies weekly. it was the second largest weekly in Morocco, after "al ayam"....
), government control over the media has moved somewhat from direct intervention to more subtle pressures, such as the use of law suits and libel cases.
On May 2, 2007 the New York City-based NGO Committee to Protect Journalists
Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent nonprofit organisation based in New York City that promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists.-History:A group of U.S...
published their annual report on the "10 countries where press freedom has most deteriorated" where it has reported that Morocco has "back slided" in terms of press freedom in 2007 after "having been considered as a leader in its region". In the report, Morocco was considered, along with Tunisia, as the country which "sentences the most journalists to prison in the Arab world".
According to the 2009 Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
has ranked Morocco 127 out of 175.
Political persecution
Government repression of political dissent has dropped sharply since the mid-1990s. The previous decades are sometimes described as the Years of LeadYears of Lead (Morocco)
The Years of Lead is the term used especially by former opponents to the rule of King Hassan II of Morocco to describe a period of his rule marked by state violence against dissidents and democracy activists.-Timeframe:...
(Les Années de Plomb), and included forced disappearance
Forced disappearance
In international human rights law, a forced disappearance occurs when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization or by a third party with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of a state or political organization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the...
s, killings of government opponents and secret interment camps such as Tazmamart
Tazmamart
Tazmamart was a secret prison in south-eastern Morocco in the Atlas Mountains, holding political prisoners. The prison became a symbol ofoppression in the political history of contemporary Morocco...
. To examine the abuses committed during the reign of King Hassan II (1961–1999), the government has set up an Equity and Reconciliation Commission
Equity and Reconciliation Commission
The Equity and Reconciliation Commission is a Moroccan human rights and truth commission created on January 7, 2004 by King Mohammed VI in order to reconcile victims of human rights abuses, such as torture and atrocities committed by Makhzen during the Years of lead, with the State.IER is...
(IER), which is to rehabilitate the victims, and pay compensation for state outrages against them. This has been hailed internationally as a big step forward, and an example to the Arab world
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
. However, the IER has also come under attack from parts of the human rights-community, since its mission was not to reveal the identities of or prosecute human rights offenders, which most of the victims were requesting.
There are also persistent allegations of violence against Sahrawi pro-independence
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a partially recognised state that claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony. SADR was proclaimed by the Polisario Front on February 27, 1976, in Bir Lehlu, Western Sahara. The SADR government controls about...
and pro-Polisario demonstrators
Independence Intifada
The Independence Intifada is a Saharawi Polisario activist coinage for a series of disturbances, demonstrations and riots that broke out in May 2005 in the Moroccan-held parts of Western Sahara. This event has also been called "The El-Aaiun Intifada" by the same sources...
in Western Sahara, considered by Morocco as its Southern Provinces
Southern Provinces
The Southern Provinces or Moroccan Sahara are the terms used by Morocco for Western Sahara, in reference to the part of Western Sahara that lies to the west of the Moroccan Berm...
, and Morocco has been accused of detaining Sahrawi independentists as prisoners of conscience.
In May 2006 a delegation from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) visited the disputed territory of Western Sahara and its report from the visit sharply criticized the lack of basic human rights in the region, in particular regarding the Saharawi population. The secret report has been leaked and can be found at for example ARSO.org.
Later the same year, in October, Morocco stopped a planned and earlier agreed visit of a delegation from the European Parliament. The decision came less than 48 hours before the delegation was to leave for Rabat and Western Sahara. The mission was to study alleged human rights violations from both Polisario and the Moroccan authorities. (texts in English and French).
Morocco claimed that the majority of the members of the delegation were known supporters of the Polisario front, and thus the neutrality of the delegation was not assured. The president of the delegation, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, contested these allegations saying the composition of the group was not for Morocco to decide, and besides Morocco had already earlier accepted the composition of the group and had furthermore been allowed to influence its visiting program.
Freedom of religion
Freedom of religionFreedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
is generally observed, with some limitations. Although Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
is the official state religion, Moroccans are permitted to practice other faiths, but it is illegal for Muslims to renounce Islam. Therefore, restrictions apply to Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
proselytizing. Political activities under the rubric of Islam are also restricted by the state. There still exists a Moroccan Jewish community, although most Jews emigrated in the years following the creation of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
in 1948.
Women and family
In 2004 the Moroccan parliament took steps to improve the status of women and children, and has passed a new family law, Mudawanat al Asra (English Family Code), which is widely regarded as very progressive by regional standards. For example, men are now permitted only one wife unless their wife signs an agreement. In addition to being candidates in mixed electoral lists, women have a national list in parliamentary elections that allow them for at least 10% of the seats.In parallel, and in September 2006, a national observatory to fight violence against women
Violence against women
Violence against women is a technical term used to collectively refer to violent acts that are primarily or exclusively committed against women...
was founded. Many state departments, administrations, universities as well as national female associations are sought to coordinate efforts together.
In 2006, the Moroccan citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
was transferred to the children via the father. Soumya Naâmane Guessous
Soumya Naâmane Guessous
Soumya Naâmane Guessous is a Moroccan sociologist, Muslim feminist, champion of women's rights and author of the bookAu-delà de toute pudeur; La Sexualité feminine au Maroc, Casablanca: Eddif, 10th edition., 1997, 280 p., first published in 1990...
, a Moroccan sociologist has launched a campaign for the transmission of Moroccan citizenship by the mother to her children. The ability for mother to pass their citizenship onto their children does not appear in the Mudawana code but was granted by a royal decision in October 2006.
Recently, in 2009, new legislation has also allowed women to divorce their husbands without the consent of the husband.
Berber identity
Berber activists regularly contend that under the banner of ArabizationArabization
Arabization or Arabisation describes a growing cultural influence on a non-Arab area that gradually changes into one that speaks Arabic and/or incorporates Arab culture...
, their unique language and culture are being repressed in favor of an Arab one. This is viewed as discrimination and method of marginalization.
However, on October 17, 2001 the Royal institute of the Amazigh culture
Royal institute of the Amazigh culture
The Royal institute of the Amazigh culture is an academic institute of the Moroccan government in charge with the development and the promotion of the Berber languages of Morocco....
was founded to maintain and develop the Amazigh languages and culture.
Police and army reforms
In 2006 Morocco started implementing a few reforms related to policing and the army. On October 16 of the same year a newly established Groupes urbains de sécuritéGroupes urbains de sécurité
Groupes urbains de sécurité is a defunct Moroccan special police unit which dealt with urban matters basing on "rapid intervention approach".-Background:...
(GUS) (Urban Security Groups) police unit was disbanded.
While many Moroccans regarded the presence of GUS as a relief, many others considered it as a step back to the rule of the Makhzen
Makhzen
Makhzen is the governing elite in Morocco and in pre-1957 Tunisia, centered around the king and consisting of royal notables, businessmen, wealthy landowners, tribal leaders, top-ranking military personnel, security service bosses, and other well-connected members of the...
.
The disbanding came after many criticisms about excesses or abuses of power
Abuse of Power
Abuse of Power is a novel written by radio talk show host Michael Savage.- Plot :Jack Hatfield is a hardened former war correspondent who rose to national prominence for his insightful, provocative commentary...
were noted. Some irresponsible actions of certain members of the unit turned over the public opinion which became discreditory.
GUS were also accused of corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
. In many cases, civil offenders used to pay a bribe (between 10 and 20 dirhams
Moroccan dirham
The dirham is the currency of Morocco. The plural form is pronounced darahim, although in French and English "dirhams" is commonly used. Its ISO 4217 code is "MAD". It is subdivided into 100 santimat . The dirham is issued by the Bank Al-Maghrib, the central bank of Morocco...
) which led to the appearance of the popular nickname; "10 drahem".
Capital punishment
Though theoretically capital punishment is still not abolished in Morocco, there has been only one execution in the last 25 years, and it happened in 1993. 198 people were sentenced to death between 1956 and 1993, although there was an 11 year lull in executions between January 1982 and August 1993. Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) estimated 528 persons were killed during Hassan II's reign in both judicialJudiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
and extrajudicial executions.
Discussing the issue in Morocco has been taboo for decades. However, human rights organizations and some liberal media outlets and left-wing political parties led by the Front of Democratic Forces
Front of Democratic Forces
The Front of Democratic Forces is a political party in Morocco.In the parliamentary election held on 27 September 2002, the party won 12 out of 325 seats. In the next parliamentary election, held on 7 September 2007, the party won 9 out of 325 seats....
have been attempting to start a capital punishment debate
Capital punishment debate
The use of capital punishment, frequently known as the death penalty, is highly controversial.-Retribution:Supporters of the death penalty argued that death penalty is morally justified when applied in murder especially with aggravating elements such as multiple homicide, child murder, torture...
. As for societal and civil movements, blogs and websites have already started debating the issue. The main and the newly created (2003) civil entity Coalition nationale pour l’abolition de la peine de mort au Maroc (CNAPM) (National coalition for the abolition of capital punishment in Morocco) which represents seven associations carrying the slogan Ensemble pour l'abolition de la peine de mort (Together against capital punishment) is also leading the debate.
At the political level the situation is paradoxical. Officially, the attitude of the current government is for "de facto" abolition. However, the Ministry of Justice has declared that terrorism is still an obstacle to "de jure" abolition and death sentences are still being handed down, especially against terrorists. It should be noted that the abolition issue was recommended by the Board of the IER Equity and Reconciliation Commission.
In October 2006, it was announced that the issue is scheduled to be presented to the parliament
Parliament of Morocco
The Parliament of Morocco is located in Rabat, the capital of Morocco.- Composition :Since 1996, the national legislature has become bicameral and has therefore two parliamentary chambers:...
for a vote in spring 2007. A political battle between moderate Islamist
Islamism
Islamism also , lit., "Political Islam" is set of ideologies holding that Islam is not only a religion but also a political system. Islamism is a controversial term, and definitions of it sometimes vary...
parties led by the Justice and Development Party
Justice and Development Party (Morocco)
The Justice and Development Party is the largest opposition political party in Morocco. The PJD advocates Islamism and Islamic democracy.-History:...
(who advocate the death sentence as being consistent with Sharia
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
laws) and leftist parties is expected to be difficult for both.
2006 CIA Black site controversy
Following the terrorist attack in Casablanca2003 Casablanca bombings
The 2003 Casablanca bombings were a series of suicide bombings on May 16, 2003, in Casablanca, Morocco. The attacks were the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country's history. 45 people were killed as a result of these attacks...
in May 2003, human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
groups accused Morocco of mistreating and torturing
Torture
Torture is the act of inflicting severe pain as a means of punishment, revenge, forcing information or a confession, or simply as an act of cruelty. Throughout history, torture has often been used as a method of political re-education, interrogation, punishment, and coercion...
detainees. Some Moroccan and international media have also alleged that the country has established CIA internment camps ("black site
Black site
In military terminology, a black site is a location at which an unacknowledged black project is conducted. Recently, the term has gained notoriety in describing secret prisons operated by the United States Central Intelligence Agency , generally outside of U.S. territory and legal jurisdiction. It...
s") on its territory, where human rights violations are committed. On September 2006, activists demanded that Morocco acknowledge the existence of such secret detention centers.
Prior to that, Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
's Vanessa Saenen had declared on 2005 We have information based on interviews from people who have been in Guantanamo Bay that there are secret detention centres. Even the US government doesn’t bother to hide this, and we have information from released prisoners on Jordan, on Morocco, on Egypt and Libya, but not on Romania and Poland.
Human rights organizations and bodies
- Association Marocaine des Droits de l'HommeAssociation Marocaine des Droits de l'HommeAssociation Marocaine des Droits Humaine ' , known in English as the Moroccan Association of Human Rights , is aMoroccan non-profit human rights non-governmental organization founded on June 24, 1979 in Rabat, Morocco by the Socialist Union of Popular Forces .AMDH is a member of the International...
(AMDH) - a non-profit human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
non-governmental organization founded on June 24, 1979 - Organisation Marocaine des Droits Humains (OMDH) - a non-profit human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
non-governmental organization founded on December 10, 1988 - Conseil Consultatif des Droits de l'HommeConseil Consultatif des Droits de l'HommeConseil Consultatif des Droits de l’Homme is a Moroccan governmental human rights body founded by late King Hassan II of Morocco by a royal decree in 1990....
(CCDH) - a governmental human rights body founded by late King Hassan II
See also
- LGBT rights in MoroccoLGBT rights in MoroccoLesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in Morocco face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Morocco...
- List of human rights articles by country
- Human rights in Western SaharaHuman rights in Western SaharaMorocco sees Western Sahara as its Southern Provinces. Morocco considers the Polisario Front as a separatist movement given the Moroccan origins of many of its leaders, and a puppet in the hands of Algeria....
External links
- Amnesty International USA - Morocco and Western Sahara includes links to annual reports
- Human Rights Watch - Morocco
- 2006 annual report
- Morocco's Truth Commission: Honoring Past Victims during an Uncertain Present, November 2005
- International Freedom of Expression Exchange - Morocco - IFEXInternational Freedom of Expression ExchangeThe International Freedom of Expression eXchange , founded in 1992, is a global network of around 90 non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression....
- United State Department of State - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
- United States Library of Congress – Country Profile: Morocco Federal Research Division, May 2006