Moroccan writers back Nichane over "jokes"

"A society which doesn't laugh at itself is a society condemned to all forms of bigotry and the creep of extremism."

Twenty-five of Morocco's leading Moroccan writers have banded together to condemn the "banning of humour" after the government cracked down Nichane for publishing jokes about politics, religion and sex.

The twenty five writers include Ibrahim Khatib, Abdellatif Laabi (pictured left) and Abdelhak Serhane. The group issued a joint statement denouncing the "sad truth" that "humour in Morocco must not leave the private sphere. A society which doesn't laugh at itself is a society condemned to all forms of bigotry and the creep of extremism," they said in a petition.

A prosecutor astounded the media by requesting three to five years' jail for two journalists on charges of defaming Islam and breaching public morality. Not surprisingly, reaction was quick in coming and the trial was roundly condemned by local and foreign journalists. The Vienna-based International Press Institute called it a "severe violation of press freedom" in an open letter to the European Parliament.

Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders), which placed Morocco 97th out of 168 in its 2006 worldwide press freedom index, called the indictment of the two journalists, Sanaa Al Aji and Driss Ksikes, "insane".

Prosectors are also seeking fines of up to 100,000 dirhams (11,700 dollars, 9,000 euros) each against the two reporters and a permanent ban of Nichane. A verdict is due by today.

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news