Rabat – Following the recent European Parliament (EP) resolution on the press freedom situation in Morocco The Association of Moroccan Lawyers of Moroccan Origin Practicing Abroad has rejected the European Parliament’s (EP) resolution on the press freedom situation in Morocco, dubbing it “a violation of the European treaty on the independence of justice.”
The Association describes the resolution as “contradicting international conventions” which they claim “undermines the sovereignty of the Kingdom,” Moroccan news agency MAP reported.
In a statement to MAP, the Association stressed the resolution is “unacceptable” as it “comes from an institution that claims to be a protector of rights and democracy.” The resolution undermines the sovereignty of states and is therefore breaking the provisions of the Security Council Resolution 213 of 1965, the statement argued.
The Moroccan parliament has also condemned the new EP resolution, saying it interferes with Moroccan internal affairs and the independence of its judiciary. Taking part in an extraordinary session on Monday, many Moroccan MPs accused members of the European Parliament who voted in favor of the resolution of having a political agenda.
The MPs also described the European resolution as condescending, stressing that Morocco does not need lessons from the EP regarding its internal affairs.
The lawyers association echoed this sentiment in its statement, saying that instead of lecturing Morocco, the EP would do better to turn its attention to the “suffocating crisis that European society is going through.” Rather than challenge the sovereignty of non-European countries, it added, European policymakers should be focusing on preserving “migrant rights and limiting policies of hatred.”
Following the resolution, the Moroccan Parliament declared on Monday that it would reconsider its relations with the European Parliament.
The Arab Parliament made a similar pledge, expressing “strong discontent” with the EP’s resolution.
