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Rabat – A statement from the Moroccan Ministerial Delegation for Human Rights issued today a press release clarifying Morocco’s decision to prevent Belgian national Christophe Marchand from entering the country.
It said the decision to prevent Marchand from entering Morocco is a “sovereign decision” that is in line with the dispositions of Law No. 02.03 relating to the entry and stay of foreigners in Morocco, and irregular migration.
Marchand traveled to Morocco to attend the trial of Omar Radi, a Moroccan journalist facing charges of “rape” and reception of “fund from foreign agents.”
He released a video on Monday, complaining about Morocco’s decision.
Marchand said that he traveled to Morocco to “defend Omar Radi.”
Morocco’s statement emphasized that public authorities enable foreign observers of different nationalities to enter the national territory to monitor the developments of the case.
It added that Morocco ensures this right to foreign observers along with representatives of some diplomatic bodies and the National Institution for Human Rights as it is “part of its keenness to provide an impartial and independent monitoring of the trial.”
Marchand, added the statement, is “known for his hostile attitudes towards Morocco, especially harming its territorial integrity.”
For public authorities, the Belgian’sarrival in the North African country “is nothing but an attempt by him to exploit his presence in Morocco to disrupt a case that is before the court.”
The statement said that Marchand knew since February 24 that he has been prohibited from entering Morocco. But he is still attempting to “impose a fait accompli and take advantage of the decision” to harm Morocco’s reputation and to prepare “unbiased and subjective reports,” it added.
