The European Parliament also expressed its “deep concern” about “the accusations that the Moroccan authorities have corrupted members of the European Parliament”.
The plenary session of Morocco’s parliament will meet tomorrow, Monday, in Rabat to consider the criticism of MEPs, who expressed their concern over the deterioration of press freedom in Morocco and accusations against the country of corruption.
“The two houses of the parliament are organizing today a joint plenary session dedicated to the discussion of the latest positions of the European Parliament vis-à-vis Morocco”, according to a joint statement of their presidents that was made public yesterday, Saturday.
In a decision adopted Thursday in Strasbourg by a wide majority, the European Parliament called on the Moroccan authorities to “respect freedom of expression and freedom of the media” and put an end to “the harassment of all journalists.”
The European Parliament also expressed its “deep concern” about “the accusations that the Moroccan authorities have corrupted members of the European Parliament”.
The MEPs’ text was negatively received in Rabat.
The media close to power were unanimous against “the fury of the kingdom’s enemies” while the Foreign Ministry assured that Morocco “will not be afraid or intimidated”.
In a statement released yesterday, Saturday evening, the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ), an advisory body, condemned “serious accusations and allegations that harm the independence of the (Moroccan) judiciary.”
“The European Parliament has taken for itself the right to judge Moroccan justice in a blatant and discriminatory way,” the CSPJ complained.
The decision adopted in Strasbourg has been welcomed by the organizations Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders.
In Morocco, the National Organization for the Support of Prisoners of Opinion (INASDO) expressed its satisfaction with the text of the European Parliament which condemns “violations and repression against independent journalists and opposition parties, as well as their lawyers and their families”.
MEPs brought up the case of Omar Radi, a 36-year-old freelance journalist known for his critical stances against the authorities, who was sentenced to six years in prison without parole for “rape” and “espionage”, charges he denies.
MEPs called for his temporary release, as well as the release of Tawfiq Bouasrin, 54, a former publisher who has been jailed since 2018, and Sulaiman Rasouni, 50, a journalist who was sentenced in 2022 to five years in prison.
All three have been convicted on charges of a sexual nature, which according to non-governmental organizations defending human rights, are “fabricated” by the Moroccan authorities.
RES-EMP
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