The Moroccan Judiciary Council (CSPJ) voiced Saturday its rejection of the prosecution role played by the European Parliament, as well as the baseless allegations laid down in its latest resolution.
The EP adopted on Jan. 19 a resolution on press freedom and human rights in Morocco.
The Council affirmed that the text contains serious accusations that undermine the independence of the judiciary and cast doubt on the legitimacy of its legal action.
All trials mentioned in the European resolution took place within the law, abiding by guarantees of a fair trial as recognized internationally, it recalled.
The Council rejected, in the strongest terms, any meddling in the country’s justice system or attempt to influence its decisions, all the more so because some cases are still before the justice.
The resolution urges to pressure the justice system into releasing the persons concerned, which runs counter the UN texts on such matters.
The body recalled that the said persons benefited from the presumption of innocence, had access to lawyers and relevant documents, and were offered a public hearing, in-person. In addition, they had their witnesses summoned, benefited from legal expertise, and had the right to appeal.
The accused stood trial over the charges of human trafficking and rape, and not over their profession of journalists as the EP was led to believe.