Moroccan Human Rights call for Press Freedom

The independant Moroccan Human Rights Association has announced it will be marking a day of solidarity with the independent Press in Morocco, which is exposed to what it described as a "systematic campaign" and use of judiciary to settle matters with it. The association has called on all democratic forces to support and back the Press.

According to the Moroccan Government there are four main Moroccan Associations for the Defence of Human Rights: Since 1972, four associations have been established so far, and are now very active in the field of Human Rights. These are : Moroccan Human Rights League (1972), Moroccan Human Rights Association (1979), Moroccan Human Rights Organization (1988), Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (1992). In addition, the Moroccans Lawyers' Association has always been very active in the field of Human Rights.

Noor Aldeen Moftah, editor of the independent weekly newspaper Al Ayam will appear before a court in Casablanca on January 23 after the Public Prosecution referred the file of a case on the insult of top government figures as well as publication of false news. The paper was sued for carrying out an investigative report on the secrets of palace women during the reign of three kings, as well as publishing pictures of royal family members.

Abdul Aziz Kokas, editor of the New Weekly was sued for publishing an interview with the fundamentalist activist Nadia Yaseen, daughter of the general supervisor of the semi-banned Justice and Benovelence Group, in which she called for the setting up of a republican regime instead of a royal one. Kokjas and Yaseen stood trial in Rabat last June in the presence of members of the group, journalists, and representatives of himan rights organisations.

Idris Shahtan, editor of a weekly paper Al Mishaal, was summoned for carrying a story on the embargo of Al Baidawi weekly from publishing a cover story with a headline the authorities regarded as insulting Morocco and Islam. The editor of the local Spanish language daily La Maniana issued by Maroc Soir Publishing House was also summoned for publishing a report saying that the late King Hassan 11 had exploited Morocco, and described the Moroccan presence in the western desert as an invasion.

A court in Casablanca slapped a huge fine and issued a suspended sentence against Ahmed Rifha Benchemsi, (pictured left) editor of the weekly newspaper Tel Quel and the reporter of the same paper Karim Al Bukhari on the charge of slander and insulting a woman MP. They were also convicted for affronting the chairperson of a charity association. Journalists and human rights circles have expressed resentment over the statements of the Minister of Justice Mohammed Bu Zobaa on the existence of a cell in the ministry tasked with moving and following up lawsuits.

The Federation of Newspapers Publishers (FMEJ) has also expressed "astonishment" at the recent declarations of the Justice Ministry to set up a "follow-up unit" in charge of monitoring all press publications. The move, due to survey articles published in the print media, is considered by the ministry as perfectly lawful, as it abides by the legal provisions and can, therefore, not be considered as an impediment to the freedom of the press, opinion or expression.

Citing the legal framework that governs and allows the creation of the unit, a press release of the justice ministry said that the unit will be tasked with documenting citizens' complaints and the unlawful practices within the State's bodies.

FMEJ deplores that the justice ministry has resorted to "emergency measures and used certain terms to designate unprecedented facts in the press act, which consists an unjustified escalation against the press."

The federation underlines the need to urgently set up a “national council of the press, wherein journalists take on their hands the organisation of their profession, and prevent any possible drift of the authorities or those who work in the sector.”

A statement issued by the Moroccan Human Rights Association said Morocco is known in recent times for launching a systematic campaign against the independent Press in which it has used the judiciary in a bid to silence media voices which have worried the authorities. The statement also referred to the police assault against Al Nahar, which contravenes the freedom of the Press.

The association has vehemently denounced the systematic campaign against the local independent Press on the pretext of safeguarding prominent and important figures, which is regarded as a flagrant violation of the freedom of opinion and expression. The only red line in front of the freedom of opinion, the expression and the Press is respecting the dignity and honour of others, and protecting the individual and collective human rights of the citizens. The association called for speeding up the amendment of the Press law to ensure that it is in harmony with the values and standards of human rights in the world.

See our earlier story: THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Tel Quel Campaign Gains Momentum

Tags: Morocco, Fes, Tel Quel,