Moroccan Magistrates Condemns EU Parliament Decision on Morocco

Rabat – The Moroccan Magistrates Club has condemned the European Parliament’s decision on Thursday to condemn Morocco for perceived violations of free speech and media freedom.

“[The Moroccan Magistrates Club] announces its definitive refusal of the various forms of interference with Morocco’s judicial sovereignty, as well as all internal and external attempts to influence judicial decisions no matter their source,” the club said in a statement on Facebook.

The association went on to stress that the Moroccan judicial system was the only one legally able to “protect the rights, freedoms, and judicial security of individuals and groups,” according to article 117 of Morocco’s constitution.

The European Parliament’s decision is an undue interference in Morocco’s judicial integrity and sovereignty, the club’s statement elaborated, condemning and denouncing the EU Parliament’s resolution.

Additionally, the club expressed its “dedication to the constitutional values related to basic rights and freedoms,” specifying that it supports the freedom of thought and expression for journalists, and other judicial rights.

The statement is not the first condemning the EU for the resolution.

A source from Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that the amendments suggested to the European Parliament’s “report on the implementation of the common foreign security policy” are part of a smearing campaign against the North African country.

“These amendments, carried and promoted by circles with proven hostility, are part of the campaign of attacks and harassment carried out against the Kingdom, by those who are disturbed by Morocco’s development,” the diplomatic source said.

Similarly, Chairman of the Morocco-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee Lahcen Haddad condemned the draft resolution, accusing the EU Parliament of downgrading the severity of the accusations leveled against journalists such as Omar Radi.

Haddad stressed that Radi was arrested “by virtue of common law as he is accused of rape.”