The co-chairman of the Morocco-European Union Joint Parliamentary Committee, Lahcen Haddad, expressed his “surprise” at the exclusion of Moroccan parliamentarians from participating in the event, which is scheduled to take place on 27 October in the European Parliament, on Rif, according to MAP.
In a letter addressed, particularly, to the chairpersons of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament and Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance of the European Parliament, Mr. Haddad said, “I was surprised by the refusal of the organizers of this event, who claim to be human rights fighters, to hear a parliamentarian’s point of view.”
Barlaman Today sources state that the meeting included MEPs Thijs Reuten and Tineke Strik, 2 Moroccan deputies, Ait Manna Hicham and Zaina Chahim, in addition to panelists such as Salim Lkhaloufi, Achraf Idrissi, Ali Lmrabet. The same sources add that the place was empty, with only 8 Moroccans from the Rif living in Brussels present with the aforementioned people. Barlaman Today sources reported that Lmrabet spoke and left immediately.
Mr. Haddad noted that “democracy is based on divergence and exchange of views since a conflicting or different view can only enrich the debate. Do the organizers want to hear one point of view in the European Parliament?” adding that the debate within this institution is essentially based on freedom of opinion, difference, and pluralism, says MAP.
In that context, he wished to be invited to take the floor at the event, which would address the theme “Beyond The Hirak: A New Vision for the Rif,” in his capacity as co-chairman of the Morocco-European Union Joint Parliamentary Committee, and an expert and writer on human rights and development issues.
“I thought I could provide the perspective of a parliamentarian and expert during this debate and exchange views, as you intended, on this important subject, but Freedom & Human Rights Organization simply rejected my request.”
The Morocco-European Union Joint Parliamentary Committee co-chairman stressed that “listening to my humble view will not constitute any abuse. On the contrary, it will enable the public to hear multiple opinions on human rights and development issues facing the rural region of northern Morocco.
In the letter, also addressed to MEPs Thijs Reuten and Tineke Strik, Mr. Haddad put forward his “vision for the new Rif,” which “is neither apologetic nor extremist,” while recalling the conclusions of the detailed report of the National Council for Human Rights (“Report on the Al Hoceima protests March 2020”), which “is the most objective, detailed and factual.”
While it does not absolve the state of its responsibilities, the report holds the protesters responsible for the use of violence and hate speech, in addition to the fabrication and dissemination of fake news, Haddad noted, adding that “it is important that the CNDH’s recommendations be implemented to ensure that these events do not recur.”
He noted that the government has responded to the demands of the people of the Rif by putting in place an ambitious development vision that is already bearing fruit, noting that investments are made in various sectors, such as agribusiness, real estate, and tourism, in addition to cultural infrastructure, including an opera house, a music institute, a sports village, and other sports structures.
The number of projects put in place is great: 563 social, 139 economic projects, 87 projects of adaptation and environmental resilience, 95 projects of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure construction, 62 projects of territorial development, and 6 projects of religious spaces, said Haddad, recalling other projects such as an institute of memory conservation, a university, and a modern hospital.
“With these efforts, which amount to billions of euros, Morocco has responded positively to the legitimate demands of the people of the Rif,” Haddad noted, adding that much remains to be done in terms of training, a rights-based approach to development and initiatives for women.
“I have not been allowed to speak, but I hope you will understand my point of view as expressed here and open a debate with Moroccan MPs on the best way forward positively and optimistically,” he concluded.