Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
June 26 2004

Morocco, US to sign environment cooperation declaration
ITC RELEASES REPORT CONCERNING THE IMPACT OF THE U.S.-MOROCCO FREE TRADE AGREEMENT.
US Grains Council applauds US-Morocco FTA signing
Over US $1 Bn of direct foreign investments in Morocco
Guarantee fund in Morocco for cultural industries
World Bank to finance illiteracy program for 1,500 youths from Casablanca
Islamic Development Bank donates Morocco's civil rescue US$ 421,000 Mln
Morocco's economic competitiveness growing, Survey
Domestic trade contributes 13% to Morocco's GDP
Morocco, US Make Trade Pact
USGC Supports U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement Signing
84% of Morocco's beaches meet quality standards (survey)
Morocco's atomic studies center cost over $77 million so far
Rural electrification covered 62% of targeted areas
Morocco's water sanitation program for 20 years ahead to cost $7 billion
Morocco lagging in field of human organs transplant
UN award granted to Moroccan water department
Car-boot sale to aid fundraiser : A CAR-BOOT Sale will be held today at the Gulf Air Club in Salmabad.
Proposed trade pact sparks reforms
Torture 'systematic' in Morocco jail.
Human rights hold larger place in Moroccan politics

Morocco, US to sign environment cooperation declaration
June 28 RABAT, June 24

Morocco and the United States will sign this June 24 a declaration on environment cooperation. The signing ceremony will be co-chaired by Moroccan minister in charge of land use planning, water and environment, Mohamed El Yazghi, and US ambassador to Rabat, Thomas Riley, the ministry said in a release.  The declaration was drafted in parallel to the free trade agreement signed June 15 in Washington. The official announcement of negotiations for a free trade agreement was made during HM king Mohammed VI's visit to Washington in April 2002.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------

ITC RELEASES REPORT CONCERNING THE IMPACT OF THE U.S.-MOROCCO FREE TRADE AGREEMENT.
June 25, 2004. News Release 04-063. Inv. No. TA-2104-14

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today released its report assessing the comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) that the President has entered into with Morocco.  The investigation, U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement: Potential Economy wide and Selected Sectoral Effects, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).  The Trade Act of 2002 granted the President authority to negotiate trade agreements which can only be approved or disapproved (but not amended) by the U.S. Congress. The law requires the ITC to prepare a report that assesses the likely impact of a proposed FTA on the U.S. economy as a whole and on specific industry sectors and the interests of U.S. consumers. In preparing its assessment, the ITC also is required to review available economic assessments regarding the agreement in question, including literature regarding any substantially equivalent proposed agreement. U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement: Potential Economy wide and Selected Sectoral Effects (Investigation No. TA-2104-14, USITC publication 3704, June 2004) will be posted in the Publications section of the ITC Internet site at www.usitc.gov . CD-ROM and printed copies may be requested by calling 202-205-1809 or by writing the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202-205-2104.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

US Grains Council applauds US-Morocco FTA signing

The US Grains Council (USGC) today said it applauds the signing of the Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) last Thursday by US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and Minister-Delegate of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Taib Fass-Fihri. With the signing, the USGC urges Congress to promptly pass the FTA this summer. Once approved, the U.S.-Morocco FTA will immediately eliminate tariffs on 95% of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products, with all remaining tariffs to be eliminated within nine years - the best market access package of any US FTA with a developing country signed to date, according to the USTR.  "The US Grains Council has been actively building markets in Morocco for US corn, sorghum and barley for many years," says USCG Chairman Terry Wolf.  "The completion of a free trade agreement between the United States and Morocco will further benefit US feed grain exports."

Morocco's expanding poultry sector is driving the country's demand for feed grains, says USGC. While poultry is the fastest growing meat production sector in Morocco, the cost of chicken meat production is one of the highest when compared to other middle-income countries. Costs to the Moroccan poultry producers will be significantly reduced through lower feed grain prices as a result of this agreement, USGC says. The group adds that the reduction and elimination of tariffs on US corn, sorghum and barley not only provides for a further expansion of the Moroccan market for feed grains, but also will allow the United States to capture a larger portion of that important growth market.

In 2002, the United States accounted for approximately 60% of Morocco's total corn imports. However, due to stiff competition from Latin America, the US share decreased to only about 10% of the more than 1 million metric tons Morocco imported last year.
06/22/2004 02:12 p.m.CDT
http://www.agriculture.com/default.sph/AgNews.class?FNC=sideBarMore__ANewsindex_html___52010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over US $1 Bn of direct foreign investments in Morocco
ANIMA MARSEILLE, June 21

Direct investments in Morocco were estimated at 14.53 billion Dhs (US $1.61 billion) in the first 7 months of 2003, that is a rise of 52.6 percent compared to the average period of 1998-2002, said ANIMA network. The Marseille-based network, which groups agencies specialized in the promotion of investments in countries part of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership (MEDA), noted that Morocco has become a "land of preference for international capital."

ANIMA, which published a book titled "investing in the MEDA region, why, how?", said two dates will further stimulate investors, namely the opening of the textile sector in 2005 and the lifting in 2012 of customs barriers that limit exchanges between Rabat and the European Union.

On the future of Moroccan tourism, ANIMA said the quality of Moroccan products, variety of sites and the hospitality of Moroccans attract international tourism. Recalling the objective set by the kingdom to drain 10 million tourists by 2010, the network noted that the "lack of infrastructure, especially in seashores, is a weakness that should be redressed."  The book published by ANIMA points out that important structural reforms have been conducted in Morocco to improve competition and encourage the private sector's development.  "Business climate has improved, inflation was controlled, unemployment rate, public debt and illiteracy have started to fall off," it underlined.  ANIMA said among challenges facing Morocco is the fact that agriculture, which employs nearly half of the active population, remains "dependent on climate conditions."

The book underscores that MEDA region currently accounts for 240 million inhabitants that are expected to reach 320 in twenty years. It added that 50 percent of MEDA countries' foreign trade is operated with the European Union while this latter invests only 5 percent of its private capital worldwide in the region. © MAP 2004 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/h_depmay0101.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guarantee fund in Morocco for cultural industries
CASABLANCA, June 19

The inter-governmental Francophonie agency (AIF) has set up a 250,000 Euro Guarantee Fund for Cultural Industries (FGIC) in Morocco.  The Fund is aimed at giving guarantees to bank operations concerning the financing of companies operating in cultural industries, which would facilitate the funding of their projects, initiators of the project told a press briefing on Friday. FGIC will cover 70 percent of bank loans destined to finance investment projects of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in cultural industries and whose annual turnover does not exceed 20 million Dhs (US $2.2 million). The loans will mainly benefit Moroccan private enterprises operating in cinematographic distribution and production, and music and book industries.

AIF, founded in 1970, is the major operator of the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF) which groups over 50 countries and conducts actions in various fields. © MAP 2004 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

World Bank to finance illiteracy program for 1,500 youths from Casablanca
CASABLANCA, June 21

The World Bank will be financing an illiteracy program for the benefit of 1,500 youths from various poor neighborhoods in Casablanca. The program, organized by the Moroccan and American committees of support to the Casablanca-Chicago twinning, will comprise both literacy and non-formal education. A meeting was held on Saturday to analyze and study findings of a study on the targeted population in order to draw up a strategy for the program. © MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic Development Bank donates Morocco's civil rescue US$ 421,000 Mln
JEDDAH, June 21

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has approved a donation, in the form of technical assistance, worth US$ 421,000 to support Morocco's civil rescue department.  A statement of the Jeddah-based IDB says the donation was approved during the Bank's administrative board's 123rd session held over the week end. The donation will contribute to restructuring the civil rescue department, modernize its intervention capacities and set up an alert system and counsel services. Last week, the IDB, an offshoot of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, earmarked to Morocco's electricity office "ONE" two loans worth US$ 50 million to support the electricity sector in Morocco.

The first loan, worth US$ 41.5 million will finance the electrification project of 7 provinces while the second loan, worth US$ 8.45 million will be used to bring electricity to 1,221 villages in the southern region of Azilal. The IDB, has so far extended Morocco some US$ 1.8 billion in loans, contributing to the financing of 49 development projects and 94 trade operations between Morocco and other Islamic countries.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morocco's economic competitiveness growing, Survey
CASABLANCA, June 22

A survey carried out by the "Observatoire de la Competitivité Internationale de l'Economie Marocaine" (OCIEM) has placed Morocco's financial sector, domestic market and investment environment in the category of "intermediary, higher rank".  The survey found, on the other hand, that the Kingdom's macro-economic dynamism, human resources, technological development and physical and institutional infrastructure are "weak". Meanwhile, Morocco's external trade was ranked among countries with "weak results".  Despite a regression in the category of financial dynamism, the public observatory notes the continuation of remarkable performances in the sector. Figures released by the think-thank reveal that as at end 2002, Morocco's reserves of foreign currency accounted for 8.5 months of exports, while external debt represented 35.7% of the GDP compared to 42.6% in 2001.

Improved results were also reported in domestic market with private consumption reaching in 2002 about 2.4%, as compared to a sample of reference countries where it reached rates regressed by 8,4% for Argentina, by 2.28% in Brazil and by 0.92% for Chile. Also according to OCIEM, Morocco posted in 2003 good growth perspectives (5.5%), a rate that is among the highest ones in the said sample, and an average annual inflation rate of 1.37% between 1990 and 2002 that puts Morocco on top of the ranking of the reference countries.

Meanwhile, Morocco ranks among the least performing countries as regards physical and institutional infrastructures, technological development and human resources, as a result of the slow evolution of illiteracy (52.2%), the share of equipment goods in overall imports (20.1%) pc), the rate of personal computers (13.7 for each 1,000 inhabitants). Morocco also had a negative performance in external trade, as a result of the regression of the share of manufactured goods exports in the GDP, which went down from 15.5% in 2002 to 14%, a poor corporate adaptability to market changes.

The survey found that tax burden, unfair competition, corruption and legal difficulties are the most cited constraints to economic takeoff. Meanwhile, the easing of red-tape constraints, more rapid loan disbursement and labor-associated problems were welcomed by the polled industrialists.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Domestic trade contributes 13% to Morocco's GDP
KHEMISSET (70 km northeast of Rabat), June, 21

Domestic trade, which counts an estimated 700,000 units nationwide, contributes 13% to Morocco's GDP, said, here Monday, premier Driss Jettou, at the opening of the third national forum of domestic trade. Jettou stressed that the sector which employs 250,000 people is experiencing deep socio-economic mutations and higher consumption, which require a comprehensive approach to improve the skills of tradesmen and integrate non-formal activities into the national commercial fabric. He went on that the government has earmarked in 2003 over 105 million DH (US$ 11.6 million) to settle peddlers. The prime minister further insisted that the government is endeavoring to ease investment-related administrative procedures. © MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morocco, US Make Trade Pact
Jun 18, 2004 (LiquidAfrica via COMTEX)

Morocco and the US signed an agreement that would eliminate nearly 95% of trade tariffs on a variety of products ranging from pistachios to farm equipment, reports Reuters. The agreement contributes towards the completion of President George Bush's initiative to create a free trade area in the Middle East and North Africa by 2013, stretching from Morocco to Iran, said US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick. Under the agreement, which still needs congressional approval, Morocco will allow increasing amounts of US wheat, poultry and beef into the country of 30-million people. US wheat exports will grow by five times the current amount, possibly surpassing European and Canadian exports, said Allen Johnson, the chief US agriculture negotiator, at a hearing.

To qualify for duty-free status, apparel and textile imports must include either US or Moroccan fibre and yarn. However, the pact establishes a temporary import quota of 25,08-million square metres for apparel containing third-country content. The agreement will also facilitate financial services, insurance and technology businesses. Morocco has promised a series of tougher labour and environmental laws to achieve the free-trade pact. A senate aide who works on trade issues said the US-Morocco agreement may be tied into a US-Australian agreement still under consideration, to facilitate congressional approval.
Senate debate of the agreements may take place by the end of July, he said.

The US has a trade pact with Jordan and recently finished negotiations for one with Bahrain, reports Reuters. Strengthening trade relations will promote democracy and bolster ties with US allies in the war against terrorism, legislators said at a hearing on the proposed trade agreements with Australia and Morocco.
(C) 2004 Business Day Africa, Redistributed by LiquidAfrica.com, All Rights Reserved http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfmid=174i5468&section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=All%20Morocco%20News&objectid=22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C
------------------------------------------------------------------------

USGC Supports U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement Signing
Tuesday June 22, 1:48 pm ET WASHINGTON, June 22 /PRNewswire/ --

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) applauds the signing of the Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, June 17, by U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and Minister-Delegate of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Taib Fass-Fihri. With the signing, the Council urges Congress to promptly pass the FTA this summer. Once approved, the U.S.-Morocco FTA will immediately eliminate tariffs on 95 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products, with all remaining tariffs to be eliminated within nine years -- the best market access package of any U.S. FTA with a developing country signed to date, according to the USTR.

"The U.S. Grains Council has been actively building markets in Morocco for U.S. corn, sorghum and barley for many years," said USGC Chairman Terry Wolf. "The completion of a free trade agreement between the United States and Morocco will further benefit U.S. feed grain exports." Morocco's expanding poultry sector is driving the country's demand for feed grains. While poultry is the fastest growing meat production sector in Morocco, the cost of chicken meat production is one of the highest when compared to other middle-income countries. Costs to the Moroccan poultry producers will be significantly reduced through lower feed grain prices as a result of this agreement.

The reduction and elimination of tariffs on U.S. corn, sorghum and barley not only provides for a further expansion of the Moroccan market for feed grains, but also will allow the United States to capture a larger portion of that important growth market. In 2002, the United States accounted for approximately 60 percent of Morocco's total corn imports. However, due to stiff competition from Latin America, the U.S. share decreased to only about 10 percent of the over 1 million metric tons Morocco imported last year. The U.S. Grains Council is a private, non-profit partnership of farmer and agribusiness organizations committed to building international markets for U.S. barley, corn, grain sorghum and their products. The Council is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has 10 international offices that oversee programs in nearly 80 countries. Support for the Council comes from its member organizations and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
CONTACT: Cheri Johnson of the U.S. Grains Council, +1-202-789-0789. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040622/dctu053_1.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

84% of Morocco's beaches meet quality standards (survey)
RABAT, June 22

83.71% of Morocco's beaches meet quality standards, according to a survey conducted on some 86 beaches. A 2003-2004 nationwide report on beach quality, presented here Tuesday by the equipment and transport department and the secretariat of state in charge of environment, said the remaining 16.29% are affected by high numbers of swimmers and the lack of sanitation infrastructure. Unfit beaches were found in provinces of Tangiers, Larache, Casablanca, Rabat-Sale and Tetouan, the same source said.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/news/general/gen_port.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morocco's atomic studies center cost over $77 million so far
Morocco, Science, 6/23/2004

Morocco's center of atomic studies in Maamora (near Rabat) has cost 700 million DH (over US$ 77 million) so far, said minister of education, higher education, executives training and scientific reseach, Habib El Malki. Speaking Tuesday at the question time session of the Chamber of Advisers (parliament upper chamber), the minister said the delay in the works is due to sensitivity of the sector, which is subject to several international conventions.

In 1996, Morocco signed two conventions with French and US groups to prepare the site infrastructure and the reactor but the project was interrupted in May 2001 when the cooperation agreement on peaceful use of atomic energy signed between the kingdom and the United States in 1981 expired.  The national center of atomic energy, sciences and techniques (CNESTEN) had to negotiate a new deal with the US group and resumed on the works in January 2004, he said, adding that the Maamora center facility will be ready in 2006. Concerning the center staff, Malki said 220 persons, including two thirds of doctors, engineers and technicians, already work in Maamora's finished labs.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040623/2004062319.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rural electrification covered 62% of targeted areas
RABAT, June 23

Morocco's rural electrification covered 62% of targeted areas in 2003, said energy and mining minister, Mohammed Boutaleb. Speaking at the question time session of the House of Representatives (parliament lower chamber), Boutaleb said the operation has covered over 13,200 hamlets in eight years, including 3,145 in 2003, adding his department ambitions to generalize power in rural areas by 2007. The official affirmed work is done at a fast pace and that Morocco's power office (ONE) has created mobile desks in rural areas and added agencies for easier bill payment. Counters are now read twice a month by a new software, he added.
© MAP 2004 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/h_depmmay15.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morocco's water sanitation program for 20 years ahead to cost $7 billion

RABAT, June 23

Morocco's program of water sanitation for the coming 20 years will cost some 65 billion DH (around US$ 7 billion), minister of land use planning, water and environment, Mohamed El Yazghi, said Wednesday at the question time session of the House of Representatives (parliament lower chamber). Minister of education, higher education, executives training and scientific research, Habib El Malki, said only 5% of Morocco's used water is treated and that Morocco has only 63 sanitation stations, most of which have been built some 60 years ago. Only 23 of the number work fully or in part, he deplored. El Malki stressed the necessity of pondering financing mechanisms for the program, underlining the importance of the issue, especially that Morocco is working for sustainable development, economic openness and attraction of 10 million tourists by 2010. The minister said the program includes building 100 sanitation stations to be operated by the National Office of Drinking Water (ONEP).© MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/h_depmay26.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guarantee fund in Morocco for cultural industries
CASABLANCA, June 19

The inter-governmental Francophonie agency (AIF) has set up a 250,000 Euro Guarantee Fund for Cultural Industries (FGIC) in Morocco. The Fund is aimed at giving guarantees to bank operations concerning the financing of companies operating in cultural industries, which would facilitate the funding of their projects, initiators of the project told a press briefing on Friday.  FGIC will cover 70 percent of bank loans destined to finance investment projects of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in cultural industries and whose annual turnover does not exceed 20 million Dhs (US $2.2 million).  The loans will mainly benefit Moroccan private enterprises operating in cinematographic distribution and production, and music and book industries. AIF, founded in 1970, is the major operator of the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF) which groups over 50 countries and conducts actions in various fields. © MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morocco lagging in field of human organs transplant
RABAT, June 23

Director of Rabat's University Hospital (CHU), Professor Wajih Maazouzi, said Morocco is lagging behind other Arab countries, mainly Algeria, Tunisia and Jordan, in the field of human organs transplant. In a statement to Morocco's TV channel 2M, Pr. Maazouzi said Morocco does not exceed 100 kidney transplant operation annually, while over 3,000 operations of the kind are performed in Saudi Arabia. The law governing organs donation was promulgated in 2001 and several other texts have not yet been enforced to organize these solidarity acts, he said, calling for awareness campaigns to encourage people to donate organs in case of accidents, for instance. Pr. Maazouzi was speaking on the sidelines of a national colloquy on the importance of organs transplant.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

UN award granted to Moroccan water department
RABAT, June 23

The United Nations Public Services Award was granted to the Moroccan secretariat of state in charge of water for its drinking water supply program for rural populations (PAGER), the secretariat said in a release. The award was handed to secretary of state in charge of water, Abdelkebir Zahoud, during a ceremony organized at the UN, part of celebrations of the UN Public Services Day on June 23. PAGER is aimed at generalizing access to potable water in rural areas - 12 million inhabitants in 31,000 rural localities - by 2010 with an investment estimated at 10 billion Dhs (US $1 billion). This project was launched in 1995 when only 14 percent of the population in rural areas had access to potable water. Since 1995, the rate of population supplied with drinkable water in rural areas has reached an average of 55 percent, with more than 90 percent in some provinces, said the release.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Car-boot sale to aid fundraiser : A CAR-BOOT Sale will be held today at the Gulf Air Club in Salmabad.

Car-owners who would like to sell any items, be it brand new or second hand goods, are welcome to join the event - which will begin at 6.30am. Fee per car is BD10.  Bargain hunters are welcome to attend the event as early as 7am. Entrance for them is free. The event is being organized as a fundraiser. Funds raised will be in support of Irish Anne-Marie Coyle's participation in the Dubai-based charity Gulf For Good's High Atlas Challenge in Morocco next month. Ms Coyle, who is a medicine teacher at the Arabian Gulf University, needs to raise at least BD1,200 to take part in the Morocco challenge.  The High Atlas Challenge is Gulf For Good's 10th challenge. It will take place from July 7 to 16 and is a charity walk which aims to reach new summits in the High Atlas Mountain range of Morocco, by trekking from the ancient city of Marrakesh to the top of North Africa's highest peak - Mount Toubkal.
All funds raised by the challenge participants will benefit children's charities in Morocco.
Ms Coyle, the only Bahrain-based participant, is to join 24 other self-sponsored participants for the challenge. She hopes that people in Bahrain will come forward to support her charity adventure. Ms Coyle is also donating part of the proceeds raised during the car-boot sale to the Bahrain Mobility International. She hopes to leave for Dubai on July 6 and join the rest of the group for the July 7 start of the Morocco challenge. Those wishing to help are welcome to contact Ms Coyle on 39067062 or email her at annemariecoyle@hotmail.com
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=85206&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=27097
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed trade pact sparks reforms
WASHINGTON, Jun 24, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX)

The prospect of a U.S.-Morocco free-trade agreement has produced many labor reforms in Morocco, the U.S. Trade Representative said Thursday. "Like all U.S. free-trade agreements, the U.S.-Morocco FTA contains provisions requiring the effective enforcement of domestic labor and environmental laws, and cooperative efforts to upgrade labor and environmental standards," the USTR said in a statement. A comprehensive new labor law went into effect on June 8. The law raises Morocco's minimum employment age from 12 to 15 to combat child labor, reduces the work week from 48 to 44 hours and sets overtime rates for additional hours. It also calls for periodic reviews of Morocco's minimum wage, and raises the minimum wage by 10 percent, effective July 1 this year.The new law also improves Moroccan workers' health and safety regulations, addresses gender equity in the workplace, and promotes employment of the disabled, the USTR said.
The law also guarantees Moroccan workers the right to form unions and go on strike, and prohibits employers acting against workers because they are union members. Copyright 2004 by United Press International.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=176w0624&section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=All%20Morocco%20News&objectid=22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Torture 'systematic' in Morocco jail.
Thursday 24 June 2004

Torture is systematic at a major Moroccan detention centre near Rabat during the interrogations of prisoners, the human-rights watchdog Amnesty International has said. The report on Thursday cited "systematic practice of torture and ill-treatment of suspects held" at the Temara centre, as well as a "series of breaches of Moroccan law and international human-rights standards".

"Detainees have been blindfolded and handcuffed during interrogation. Some have been stripped or suspended from the ceiling in contorted positions.
Many reported being beaten or threatened with the arrest and rape of their wife or female relatives," Amnesty said. The London-based organisation added: "The detainees have been systematically denied their right to legal counsel from the beginning of the judicial process. Those detained have been held in secret, sometimes for months, and have been denied access to their families or to the outside world." "Morocco's failure to take action on persistent allegations of torture and ill-treatment in the Temara and other detention centres undermines the country's recent progress in the field of human rights," it said.
Some 2000 people have been arrested, charged with "terrorist activities", since the bombings in the commercial capital, Casablanca, in May 2003.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/903D3C7C-BFA0-4696-B2AF-5F02E8A6E6A9.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Human rights hold larger place in Moroccan politics
CCDH. Politics, 6/21/2004

Human rights issues have been occupying, during the past years, a more important place in Moroccan politics, according to the independent Moroccan Center for Human Rights (CMDH). In its report for 2003, presented Saturday at a press conference, CMDH cited achievements in human rights, most importantly the Consultative Council for Human Rights (CCDH), Diwan Al Madhalim (ombudsman), the Commission for Equity and Reconciliation and the Family Code.

However, CMDH also noted several negative points. It deplored public authorities' banning in 2003 of several peaceful sit-ins, calling on the concerned authorities to allow citizens to stage protests in respect of law. On the Code of the Press, the Center noted it did not meet the requests of professionals nor is it conform to international conventions ratified by Morocco. The Code of the press, it added, did not take into account the developments in information and communication technologies.

The CMDH also raised the issue of individual liberties, praising the royal pardon of detainees held for political reasons. It also hailed the resolve to turn the page of the past through the creation of the Commission for Equity and Reconciliation in charge of out-of-court settlement of past human rights abuses.

CMDH, nevertheless, proposed the amendment of the anti-terror law to guarantee conditions for fair trials in conformity with international standards. This law was enacted in the wake of the terrorist attacks that hit the big city of Casablanca, on May 16, 2003, killing 45 people, including the 12 suicide bombers.

On the other hand, the Center underscored that despite positive initiatives taken by the penitentiary administration for the promotion of prisoners rights and the reform of penitentiary institutions, some negative points still tarnish this sector, notably the overcrowding of jails, malnutrition and the lack of medical care. It called for the implementation of the law regulating penitentiary establishments and for an increase of their budgets.

Other issues like health, child's rights and the status of women were also included in the report.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040621/2004062116.html

#########################################################

These postings are provided without permission of the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the identified copyright owner.  The poster does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the message, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.