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Moroccan lawmakers recently voted unanimously to review its ties with the European Parliament on the ground that the latter was meddling with its internal issues. The immediate provocation was the passage of a resolution by the EU parliament urging the kingdom to respect press freedom. There was an alleged infringement on freedom of expression in Morocco. The most recent case was the imprisonment of two journalists on charges of sexual abuse, which both of them denied and yet punished with imprisonment.
Moroccan lawmakers recently voted unanimously to review its ties with the European Parliament on the ground that the latter was meddling with its internal issues. The immediate provocation was the passage of a resolution by the EU parliament urging the kingdom to respect press freedom. There was an alleged infringement on freedom of expression in Morocco. The most recent case was the imprisonment of two journalists on charges of sexual abuse, which both of them denied and yet punished with imprisonment.
This decision was taken by members of both houses of Morocco’s parliament when they met in the capital Rabat for a joint session in response to the non-binding European text passed through a resolution. The Moroccan legislators called the European resolution an unacceptable attack against the sovereignty, dignity, and independence of judicial institutions in the kingdom.
Morocco and the European Union have strong economic and commercial relations, particularly in agriculture and fishing. Both parties signed an agreement in 1996, which provided for the furtherance of that cooperation. European lawmakers in Strasbourg had urged Morocco to respect freedom of expression and media freedom and to guarantee imprisoned journalists a fair trial. This resolution did not go well with the monarchy, which termed it as an interference in its sovereignty.
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Two of the most prominent journalists cases in Morocco are those of Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni. Both were sentenced last year on sexual abuse charges. Radi, 36, who has been critical of Moroccan authorities, was sentenced to six years in prison for rape and espionage. He denied the charges mentioning that they were fabricated. Raissouni, who is serving a five-year sentence, has also maintained his innocence. He alleged that he was prosecuted because of his opinions.
