Morocco decided on Monday to review relations with the European Parliament (EP) after the resolution approved this Thursday in Strasbourg (France), which urges Rabat to respect freedom of expression and release journalists critical of the regime.
The decision was announced by the president of the Chamber of Representatives (lower house), Rachid Talbi Alami, in a statement read at the end of a joint session of the two chambers of the Moroccan parliament to analyze the EP resolution.
In the statement, Alami considers that the EP resolution is unacceptable and argues that it “destroys the relationship of trust” between the two parliamentary institutions, but nothing advances what will be reviewed in relations with Strasbourg.
Criticism of the European Parliament resolution also came from the parliamentary groups of the parties that make up the Moroccan government, who considered the decision of the MEPs as blackmail carried out through a “speech of colonial superiority”.
“We are not going to accept that our homeland is the object of threats and we are not going to change our position or approach, we are convinced of the justice of our causes and we call on MEPs to stop the blackmail,” he criticized. Mohamed Ghiat, spokesman for the National Rally of Independents (RNI, led by the current Executive).
Ghiat was speaking in plenary session of the two chambers of the Moroccan Parliament, where the three parties that make up the Executive unanimously expressed their rejection of the European resolution with harsh words.
“We don’t have gas or oil to buy or corrupt, but we have will and a great love for this country. We ask them to leave Morocco.” [em paz] and that they do not blackmail”, said Ghiat, alluding to a possible intervention by Algeria to influence the decision of the EP.
“I wonder – added Ghiat, referring to the MEPs – if cold and gas have replaced the declaration of human rights”.
Along the same lines, Ahmed Touizi, of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), described the EP resolution as a “clear and systematic attack” and “blatant interference” in Moroccan internal affairs, as well as an “attempt to influence Justice”. “. from the country.
“How can an institution that claims to defend the principles of democracy and human rights violate the sovereignty of a partner country? […] and defend justice and at the same time the rapists?” Touizi asked, referring to the call to release critical journalists convicted on rape charges.
Tuizi also welcomed the position of the Spanish Socialists “who refused to support this failed attempt” and of the popular group MEPs who did not participate in the vote on the resolution, as well as the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez.
Neredin Median, deputy from the nationalist Istiqlal party, also defended the “vital interests” of Morocco, expressing himself “surprised” by the EP resolution.
“We strongly condemn these maneuvers that are creating a proxy war,” said Median, who maintained that the resolution will only increase the attachment of the deputies to the defense of the country and, at the same time, to the collaborative relationship with the European Union ( HEY).
For the Istiqlal deputy, the EP accuses Morocco, “but ignoring the human rights violations against migrants that have occurred in European countries.”
In the resolution, the European Parliament urged Rabat to “respect freedom of expression and the media” and to put an end to “harassment against journalists”, stressing that it is “deeply concerned” about the alleged corruption of members of the EP by part of Moroccans authorities.
In a statement issued this Saturday, the Higher Council of the Moroccan Judiciary (CSPJ) condemned the “serious accusations and complaints that threaten the independence of the judiciary”, arguing that Brussels “has granted itself the right to judge the Moroccan justice flagrantly and biasedly”.
The resolution adopted in Strasbourg was welcomed by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The MEPs recalled the case of the 36-year-old journalist Omar Radi, known for his critical positions with the Government, who was sentenced to six years in prison for rape and espionage, accusations that he denies.
Brussels also called for the provisional release of former editor Taoufik Bouachrine, 54, detained since 2018, and journalist Soulaimane Rassouni, 50, sentenced to five years in prison in 2022.
The three journalists were convicted of alleged sexual offences, which various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) say were fabricated by the authorities.
Source: TSF
