Chairperson of the Morocco-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee Lahcen Haddad deemed that the European Parliament (EP) draft resolution on journalists in Morocco, notably the Omar Radi case, is an interference in legal proceedings brought before an independent court of a partner country.
In a letter to Euro-deputies, on behalf of Moroccan members of the committee, Haddad underlined that such draft resolution runs counter the human rights principles. He stressed that Omar Radi is detained over a common law crime which is rape.
He pointed out that Morocco abolished in 2016 all prison sanctions against journalists as laid down in the press code.
Haddad recalled that the Radi’s trial was made public, and all guarantees of a fair trial were ensured such as respect of set deadlines, choice of lawyer, information about charges brought against the accused…
Even the plaintiff was brought to the public prosecutor after filing her complaint, he said, adding that the victim was harassed, threatened and defamed for seeking justice.
The Moroccan MP recalled that the lawsuit is still before the court of cassation, and invited his European peers to abide by relevant international standards and respect the independence of the judiciary.
Rape victims are entitled to universally-recognized rights that ensure equality, security, freedom, integrity and dignity, he said.
Haddad called upon his European peers to refrain from voting the bill on an alleged rapist who was convicted by the first instance court.
He also drew their attention to human rights abuses by Algeria, namely the prosecution of Hirak activists, political opponents and journalists.