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| Judgement against Ali Lamrabat in Morocco | Date: 07-12-2001 |
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EMHRN concern regarding public freedoms and the recent judgement against Ali Lamrabat restricting Press Freedom This comes in the wake of the judgement handed out by the Court of Appeal of Rabat, acquitting activists belonging to l’Association Marocaine des Droits de l’Homme, and in the wake of royal pardons for ten or so people sentenced to imprisonment for political activities. Manifestly ill-founded proceedings have been initiated by the Royal Prosecutor in Rabat against Ali Lamrabat, director of the weekly publication « Demain Magazine ». On the basis of these proceedings, he was sentenced to three months imprisonment on 21st November and given a fine of 30.000 dirhams (around 19.000 FF) ; this was for publishing information likely to disrupt public order. As to what he has actually been accused of, the information reported was hypothetical, regarding the eventuality of the sale of the Royal Palace ; it was clearly no threat to public order. In other words, following an unfair trial, there was something arbitrary about the conviction ; the judgement constitutes a blatant violation of Article 19 of the pact relating to civil and political rights, and also therefore, of the Association Agreement with the European Union. This is why, whilst wholly congratulating the measures that have recently been taken by the public authorities, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network can only deplore this recent judgement restricting press freedom, and asks that it immediately be annulled by legal means. Finally, the network reiterates its recent declaration relating to the legal projects on public freedoms which are being examined by Parliament, underlining the urgent necessity of legal reform, in particular in the area of reinforcing the independence of magistrates and the guarantees for fair trials. For further information please contact: Marc Schade-Poulsen, Executive Director / Marit Floe Joergensen, Information Officer Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Wilders Plads 8 H, DK-1403 Copenhagen K, Denmark Tel: +45-32 69 89 12 / Fax: +45-32 69 89 01 E-mail: info@euromedrights.net |
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