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Join on Telegram Rabat – State Minister for Human Rights Mustapha Ramid has said that reports and data provided by several stakeholders regarding the current Rif protests diverge from the standpoint of the government.
In a press conference held on Thursday, Ramid said that for five months, there have been more around 500 demonstrations in Al Hoceima and its surrounding area.
During this time, the minister continued, security authorities refrained from intervening, believing that demonstrating is a right guaranteed by the constitution and the law.
Ramid pointed that even though demonstrations and protests have largely been peaceful, some of them were violent, especially a march organized in the town of Imzouren, where several security elements and citizens were injured.
The minister acknowledged that the state has a duty to ensure the development of Morocco’s different regions, but at the same time it must impose respect of the law and the protection of people and properties and public institutions.
“The state has to ensure the rule of law and guarantee stability and security,” he said.
On the topic of detained Rif activists and protesters, Ramid said that the public prosecution has ensured that investigations are carried out in accordance with the law and has guaranteed the rights of those arrested, including the right to contact their lawyers.
Amid the torture allegations made by several detainees, the State Minister in Charge of Human Rights asserted that 66 people who claimed to have been tortured underwent medical examination, adding that investigations were opened to establish the truth regarding these claims.
Ramid also reiterated that King Mohammed VI has always shown a special interest to the city of Al Hoceima, adding that the monarch made sure to follow up development projects in the region and gave instructions, during the council of ministers on June 25, to make a report on the reasons behind the delays in their realization.
