Amnesty: No Noticeable Change Yet in Morocco
By Mohamed Hikal
Moroco News Tribune
Taroudant, Morocco| “It is two years now since Moroccans took to the streets in Rabat, Casablanca and other Moroccan cities calling for reforms and the abolition of corruption. However, Moroccan authorities still adopt the approach of violence and brutality in dealing with pacific protests. », said Amnesty International last week.
“Most of activists in the « February the 20th » movement are still « behind bars » just because they opted for voicing their opinions”, said reports.
Some of those activists were reportedly tortured and maltreated while in custody.
“February the 20th” movement, which emerged subsequent to the social, political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, called for the respect of human rights, improving living conditions and abolishing all sorts of corruption and injustice.
“Adopting the violence and brutality as an approach to deal with protest in Morocco is a violation to the rights guaranteed by the July 2011constitution. That’s quite incomprehensible, “said Ann Harrison, Amnesty International Deputy Middle East and North Africa Programme Director.
Youssef Oubila, 24 and a February 20th activist who was arrested during a demonstration in Casablanca back in July 2012 told Amnesty International that he was humiliated and beaten while in custody. Besides, he added that he was made to sign a statement confirming that he assaulted a police officer.
Subsequently in September 2012, Oubila and five others in the movement were sentenced to 10 years in prison. All members confirmed they were tortured and humiliated. They were released in January 2013.
Mohamed Massoudi, an attorney who handled cases related to the movement, stated that there is an increase in brutality toward protests. Most of the captives were charged with assaults against the police, drug possession and involvement in an unauthorized demonstration.
Also, Mouad Belghouat, a rap singer is a case in point. He is a member in the movement who was arrested for releasing a video showing a police officer with a donkey head. The video included a song denouncing and condemning police corruption and brutality.
Mouad was sentenced to one year. He went on hunger strike on two occasions in protest against his detention conditions.
“Moroccan authorities approach runs counter to human rights. Protests need to be allowed without any harassment. Detention of protesters and demonstrators against the law is not allowed. Any case of maltreatment and torture has to be reported and looked into immediately, and penalize anybody who is found guilty. », said Ann Harrison.
Amnesty International has invited Morocco to modify its detention laws so that detainees could have access to an attorney while they are in custody and allow for privacy while consulting them.