Rabat – The Moroccan Ministerial Delegate in charge of Human Rights on Thursday condemned Amnesty International’s “continued systematic campaign” against Morocco.
A statement from the ministerial delegate said that Amnesty International’s campaign against Morocco “violates the rules” the NGO says it follows in regard to the importance of “conducting impartial, effective, and objective investigations.”
The ministerial delegate’s statement came in response to the NGO’s annual report, assessing the situation of human rights in Morocco, accusing Morocco of “freedom of expression repression.”
The statement from Morocco emphasized that the NGO’s positions towards Morocco “were based on a systematic policy.” The delegate also accused the NGO of interfering in the Western Sahara dispute, as well as in judicial affairs and the judicial system.
The ministerial delegate also accused Amnesty International of failing to present valid arguments to back its claims, criticizing Morocco’s human rights approach.
Amnesty International’s report claimed that human rights activists and social media users have “been repressed for the legitimate exercise of their freedom of expression,” citing the recent arrest and the sentencing of journalists.
“The Amnesty International report arbitrarily inserts freedom of expression in files before the judiciary, and that it did not provide any data regarding the persecution of freedom of expression,” the statement said.
The Moroccan ministerial delegate established that Amnesty International’s allegations were not backed by any concrete data except its argument that the recent trials “did not meet international standards for a fair trial.”
“The ministerial delegation cannot but confirm that the position of Amnesty International, which is not supported by any form of observation, [and] remains merely political interference” against Morocco’s domestic affairs.
Morocco’s government has long asked Amnesty International to submit evidence to back its claims and arguments against the country’s human rights situation.
One of the latest statements was on March 19, when Moroccan authorities asked for proof with regards to its claims that Morocco used Israeli spyware Pegasus to spy on activists.
Amnesty International has been claiming that Morocco used spyware against activists and journalists, including Moroccan journalist Omar Radi.
A Moroccan court sentenced Radi to six years in prison in July 2021. Casablanca’s Court of Appeal upheld the sentence against Radi, confirming the charges he had been arrested for — including “rape” and “receiving funds from a foreign agent” to “undermine Morocco’s security.”
Prior to and after his trial, Amnesty International continued to release reports and statements, accusing Morocco of using spyware against the journalist.
In response, the Moroccan government has been asking the NGO to provide evidence for its claims, which Amnesty International has failed to answer.
Morocco renewed its request demanding evidence from Amnesty International on February 28 of this year. Moroccan authorities emphasized on March 19 that the NGO did not send any evidence to back its claims.
