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Item=787

MOROCCO
At A Glance Population8 0uly 9663 est. -1P Per "apita <PPP=8 9663 est. *uman 1e?elopment Index 'an@8 #)1P8 9663 7reedom *ouse 'ating8 9663 Political 'igAts "i?il ,iberties 7reedom of tAe Press 'an@8 7reedom *ouse8 9663 "orruption Index 'an@8 $ransparency International8 9667 ::89+589/; >+8+66 59: <out of 577 countries= Partly 7ree / + 598 <out of 5;+ countries= 79 <out of 586 countries=

UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ......................................................................................3 UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ......................................................................................3 STATE INSTITUTIONS/ SEPARATION OF POWERS.....................................................................4 STATE INSTITUTIONS/ SEPARATION OF POWERS.....................................................................4
! "#$I% &'()"* ..............................................................................................................................+ , -I.,($I% &'()"*............................................................................................................................./ 0#1I"I('2...............................................................................................................................................3 ,4"(, -4% ')M )$.............................................................................................................................8

RIGHTS ...................................................................................................................................................10 RIGHTS ...................................................................................................................................................10 P ,

'.4)(, ,I& '$I .............................................................................................................................56 -I.,($I4) ' -#,($I)- $* ! '"I. 47 'I-*$..........................................................................56

POLITICAL FORCES............................................................................................................................15 POLITICAL FORCES............................................................................................................................15 P4,I$I"(, P('$I . ..............................................................................................................................5/ "I%I, .4"I $2.......................................................................................................................................57 ELECTION RESULTS...........................................................................................................................19 ELECTION RESULTS...........................................................................................................................19
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION..........................................................................................................22 CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION..........................................................................................................22 CORRUPTION........................................................................................................................................23 CORRUPTION........................................................................................................................................23 RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.............................................................24 RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.............................................................24

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Updates and Forthcoming Events

$Ae Moroccan go?ernment issued a decision on 7ebruary 968 9668 to ban tAe alB &adil alB*adari <"i?iliCed (lternati?e= Islamist Party o?er allegations of terrorism. $Ae PartyDs President8 Mustafa Mutassim8 was among tAirtyBtwo people arrested on 7ebruary 5; and accused of planning to assassinate se?eral top army officers8 go?ernment ministers8 and Moroccan 0ews. "lic@ Aere for more details. ( "asablanca court con?icted an I$ engineer on 7ebruary 998 9668 of Emodifying and falsifying information tecAnology data and usurping an officialDs identity8F for creating a profile of Moroccan Prince Moulay 'acAid on 7aceboo@. *e was sentenced to tAree years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of 568666 Moroccan dirAams <#... >58:96=. "lic@ Aere for more information. Morocco and Gestern .aAaraDs Polisario independence mo?ement concluded a tAird round of #)Bsponsored tal@s in )ew 2or@ on 0anuary ;8 9668 witAout reacAing agreement on (fricaDs longestBrunning territorial dispute. $Ae Moroccan delegation argued in fa?or of Gestern .aAara autonomy witAin Morocco8 wAile tAe Polisario proposed a referendum among etAnic .aArawis tAat includes an option of independence. #) mediator Peter ?an %alsum said tAe two sides agreed to meet again MarcA 55B5:8 9668 for furtAer tal@s. "lic@ Aere for more information.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

State Institutions/ Separation of o!ers

E"ecutive #ranch $Ae Moroccan constitution of 5;;3 < nglisA $ext8 (rabic $ext= ?ests supreme executi?e power in tAe @ing8 wAo is tAe Aead of state and wAose person is sacred and in?iolable.

$Ae ki !H (ppoints tAe prime minister following legislati?e elections. (ppoints all members of tAe go?ernment ta@ing into account tAe prime ministerDs recommendations. Presides o?er tAe cabinet. (ppoints tAe go?ernors of MoroccoDs 53 pro?inces. May terminate tAe tenure of any minister and dismiss tAe prime minister <(rticle 36 of tAe constitution=. May dissol?e tAe parliament. May call for new elections. May rule by decree. May declare a state of emergency witAout explanation. May re?ise tAe constitution by directly submitting proposed amendments to a national referendum. Is tAe Aead of tAe military and tAe countryDs religious leader. (rticle 5; of tAe 5;39 constitution designates tAe @ing as commander of tAe faitAful.

Iing MuAammad %I assumed tAe tArone in 0uly 9:8 5;;;8 following tAe deatA of Ais fatAer8 Iing *assan II8 wAo ruled Morocco for :8 years <5;35B5;;;=.

$Ae "#i$% $i i&'%#H 1oes not Aa?e autAority witAout tAe @ingDs appro?al. May initiate legislation and exercise statutory powers. Presents go?ernmentDs program to botA Aouses of parliament. (bbas alB7assi became prime minister on .eptember 588 9667. $Ae C()i %'H Is appointed by tAe @ing upon proposal of tAe prime minister. Is responsible to tAe @ing and tAe *ouse of 'epresentati?es.

In 5;;88 *assan II decided to allow tAe former opposition party to form tAe go?ernment under tAe direction of (bdel 'aAman 2usufi. $Ais system of EalternanceF was a ?ery limited opening of tAe political system. $Ae most powerful ministerial portfolios8 including tAe interior ministry <tAe strongest of all=8 remained in tAe Aands of tAe @ingDs supporters.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

$egislative #ranch

$Ae 5;;3 constitution created a bicameral legislature.

$Ae :9/Bmember H*+&% *, R%"#%&% '('i-%& <MaJlis alB)uwab= is elected for fi?e years by indi?iduals 96 years and olderK 9;/ members are elected by proportional representation in ;9 multiBmember electoral districts and :6 female members are elected by proportional representation on a national basis <In 96658 tAe go?ernment establisAed a minimum 56L Muota for women in tAe parliament=. lections were last Aeld on .eptember 978 9669. $Ae next elections are scAeduled for 9667. $Ae 976Bmember H*+&% *, C*+ &%.*#& <MaJlis alBMustasAarin= is indirectly elected by members of electoral colleges for nineByear terms. Members of local and regional council elect 539 members. 'epresentati?es from industry8 agriculture8 and trade unions elect tAe remaining 568 members. )inety of tAem are renewed e?ery tAree years. lections were last Aeld on 4ctober 38 966:. $Ae next elections will be Aeld in 9663.

,egislation may be initiated eitAer by tAe prime minister or by one of tAe Aouses of parliament. $Ae @ing8 witA tAe consent of tAe "onstitutional "ouncil8 can by decree amend laws passed by tAe parliament.

( law passed by tAe parliament becomes effecti?e only after it Aas been promulgated by royal decree. If tAe @ing disagrees witA a law8 Ae may return it to tAe parliament for reBexamination or settle tAe issue tArougA popular referendum. In eitAer case8 tAe outcome is in?ariably in line witA tAe @ingDs wisAes.

$Ae *ouse of 'epresentati?es may dissol?e tAe go?ernment tArougA a ?ote of no confidence.

$Ae two cAambers of parliament may indict members of tAe go?ernment and refer tAem to tAe *igA "ourt of 0ustice for trial. (ny proposed indictment must be signed by at least a Muarter of tAe members of tAe cAamber of wAicA it was initiated.

Parliamentary debates are open to tAe public and tAeir proceedings are publisAed in tAe 4fficial -aCette <&ulletin 4fficiel=.

Members of tAe parliament enJoy immunity8 except in cases of EinJurious remar@s to tAe monarcAy and Islam.F Members of parliament can lose tAeir parliamentary immunity for expressing opinions tAat may be considered disrespectful to tAe @ing.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

$Ae parliamentDs powers were expanded under tAe 5;;9 and 5;;3 constitutional re?isions to include budgetary matters8 appro?ing bills8 Muestioning ministers8 and establisAing ad Aoc commissions of inMuiry to in?estigate tAe go?ernmentDs actions.

"onstitutional pro?isions allow nonBelected entities to enact laws and ?eto texts from tAe Parliament <(rticles +/8 +38 //8 and /8=. 4fficials appointed by tAe @ing to AigA administrati?e positions exercise de facto legislati?e autAority o?er ?arious administrati?e texts.

%udiciar&

(ccording to (rticle 89 of tAe constitution8 tAe Judiciary is independent from tAe legislati?e and executi?e brancAes. (ltAougA tAe constitution clearly endorses tAe principle of separation of powers8 tAere is significant participation of tAe executi?e in tAe Judiciary. $Ae ministry of Justice plays a significant role in Judicial affairs and tAe @ing Aeads tAe .upreme 0udicial "ouncil. $Ae ministry of Justice super?ises Judges and o?ersees administrati?e matters connected witA tAe courts8 including budgetary issues. $Aere Aa?e been some complaints in recent years tAat salaries are low and tAe ministry Aas wor@ed to impro?e tAe situation in order to combat opportunities for corruption. (ltAougA Judicial reform Aas been identified as a AigA priority by tAe go?ernment8 progress Aas been slow. *owe?er8 some Judges Aa?e been referred to disciplinary panels for punisAment as a result of in?estigations into alleged corruption and misconduct8 and a number Aa?e been fired.

Morocco Aas a ci?il law system in wAicA codes are adapted ?ersions of 7rencA ci?il law8 except for matters of personal status wAicA are based on religious laws. /+0i1i(#2 C*+ 1i.& $Ae .upreme "ouncil of tAe 0udiciary8 Aeaded by tAe @ing8 Aas administrati?e autAority o?er tAe Judiciary. $Ae .upreme "ouncil consists of tAe minister of Justice as ?iceBpresident8 tAe first president of tAe .upreme "ourt8 tAe prosecutor general in tAe .upreme "ourt8 tAe president of tAe 7irst "Aamber of tAe .upreme "ourt8 two representati?es elected among magistrates

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

of tAe "ourt of (ppeal8 and four representati?es elected among magistrates of first instance courts. $Ae "onstitutional "ouncil Judges tAe ?alidity of legislati?e elections8 referenda8 and tAe rules of procedure of botA Aouses of parliament. It Aas twel?e council members. $Ae @ing appoints six members for a nonBrenewable period of nine years. (fter consulting witA parliamentary groups8 tAe president of tAe *ouse of 'epresentati?es and tAe president of tAe *ouse of "ounselors eacA appoint tAree members. $Ae @ing8 tAe prime minister8 and tAe presidents of tAe two Aouses of tAe parliament may refer any law to tAe "onstitutional "ouncil before it is promulgated.

$Ae decisions of tAe "onstitutional "ouncil are final and binding on all.

C*+#'& L*3%# 1*+#'& "ourts of 7irst Instance adJudicate crimes punisAable by up to fi?e years imprisonment8 and ci?il8 personal status8 or commercial cases. Monetary Judgments of small amounts are not subJect to appeal. "ourts of 7irst Instance include tAe "ommunal and 1istrict "ourts8 wAicA settle minor criminal offenses8 and tAe .adad "ourts8 wAicA Aa?e general Jurisdiction and are organiCed into separate .Aaria8 'abbinical8 "i?il8 "ommercial8 (dministrati?e8 and Penal sections. $Ae .Aaria and 'abbinical courts settle matters of personal status for members of tAeir respecti?e communities. $rade "ourts rule on cases in?ol?ing commercial acti?ities. $Ae maJority of legal matters fall witAin tAe Jurisdiction of 'egional $ribunals8 wAicA decide cases of personal property damages. .ucA Judgments8 excluding minor offences punisAable by a small fine8 may be appealed to tAe "ourt of (ppeal. Most Judicial irregularities in nonBpolitical cases ta@e place in tAe "ourts of 7irst Instance. .e?eral factors facilitate corruption in tAese courts8 including legal ambiguities8 defendantsD unfamiliarity witA tAe legal system8 tAe lac@ of disciplinary measures8 inadeMuate representation8 and resource constraints. C*+#'& *, A""%(. "ourts of (ppeal try criminal cases8 and rule on appeals against Judgements passed by $ribunals of 4riginal 0urisdiction. "ourts of (ppeal cannot address tAe irregularities of tAe lower courts because tAey only Aandle cases in?ol?ing crimes punisAable by fi?e years in prison or more. S+"#%$% C*+#'

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

B B B B B

$Ae .upreme "ourtH May re?iew tAe decisions of all courts and tribunals. *ears appeals for cancellation of tAe prime ministerDs decisions. *as Jurisdiction o?er disputes arising among courts8 wAicA only Aa?e tAe .upreme "ourt abo?e tAem. (dJudicates suits for bias filed against magistrates and courts witA tAe exception of tAe .upreme "ourt. "an only re?iew cases tAat ma@e it to tAe courts of appeal and tAat deal witA life sentences and tAe deatA penalty. $Aerefore8 tAe ?ast maJority of defendants in lower courts Aa?e ?ery few Judicial outlets.

A0$i i&'#('i-% C*+#'& $Ae (dministrati?e "ourtsH *ear disputes related to administrati?e contracts. (dJudicate claims for compensation of preJudice caused by public entitiesD acts or acti?ities.

O'4%# C*+#'& $Ae *igA "ourt of 0ustice Aas Jurisdiction o?er criminal and felonious matters allegedly committed by go?ernment officials. It consists of eMual number of members elected from tAe *ouse of 'epresentati?es and tAe *ouse of "ounselors. Its president is appointed by royal decree. .pecialiCed ,abor $ribunals settle disputes by means of conciliation. $Aere is a .tanding $ribunal for tAe 'oyal (rmed 7orces. $ocal Government Morocco is di?ided into multiple le?els of local go?ernment8 all directly under tAe Ministry of tAe Interior. (t tAe top are 53 administrati?e regions go?erned by walis wAicA are furtAer di?ided into :8 pro?inces administered by go?ernors. Galis and go?ernors are appointed by tAe @ing. (s part of Ais initiati?e to appoint tecAnocrats to local go?ernment positions8 Iing MoAammad %I appointed new walis in 5: of tAe 53 regions and new go?ernors in 5+ of tAe :8 pro?inces in 0une 966/.

$Ae pro?inces are in turn di?ided into rural and urban municipalities <Madawat=. Morocco Aas 5/++ municipalities8 eacA of wAicA elects municipal councils and mayors by general election. MoroccoDs municipal councils select mayors8 o?ersee most local ser?ices8 and elect twoBtAirds of tAe upper Aouse of Parliament. (s part of its decentraliCation policy8 MoroccoNs go?ernment Aas sougAt in recent years to increase tAe councilsD autonomy. &ut tAe councils remain wea@ because tAe central go?ernment continues to control tAeir finances and resources.

Municipal elections were last Aeld on .eptember 598 966:. $Ae next elections will be Aeld in 9668.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

Rights
ersonal $i'erties $Ae constitution guarantees all citiCens freedom of worsAip8 mo?ement8 opinion and expression in all its forms8 freedom of association8 public gatAering8 and tAe freedom to belong to any union or political group of tAeir cAoice EwitAin tAe limits of tAe lawF <(rticles 38 88 and ;=.

(ltAougA tAe Moroccan constitution proclaims adAerence to international principles8 it does not stipulate tAat Moroccan citiCens are entitled to inalienable Auman rigAts. $Ae granting and enforcement of rigAts depends on tAe @ingDs discretion. (ccording to tAe constitution8 it is tAe @ing wAo protects EtAe rigAts and liberties of tAe citiCens8 social groups and organiCationsF <(rticle 5;=.

(ltAougA tAe constitution stipulates eMuality among all citiCens8 &erbers Aa?e been marginaliCed since independence in 5;/3 tArougA forced (rabiCation policies.

7reedom of assembly is limited. $Ae interior ministry reMuires permits for public gatAerings and Aas forcibly dispersed demonstrations in tAe past8 but peaceful protests are now generally tolerated.

"i?il and political rigAts deteriorated after tAe terrorist attac@s in "asablanca on May 538 966:. $en days after tAe attac@s8 tAe parliament passed a new antiterrorist law tAat gi?es security forces tAe rigAt to Aold suspects witAout access to a lawyer8 to intercept telepAone calls8 mail8 and internet communication8 and to searcA Aomes and businesses witAout a warrant.

In 5;;38 tAe Penal "ode was re?ised to proscribe torture8 establisA legal pro?isions for arrest and due process8 and set limits on pre?enti?e detention. $Ae code specifies up to life imprisonment for members of tAe security forces or state officials wAo use torture. $Ae Moroccan cabinet endorsed a bill on 1ecember 988 966+ tAat amends tAe existing penal code to proAibit torture as defined by tAe International "on?ention against $orture.

$Ae )ew 2or@Bbased organiCation *uman 'igAts GatcA pro?ides a compreAensi?e o?er?iew of Auman rigAts de?elopments in Morocco.

$egislation Regulating the E"ercise of Rights

E.%1'*#(. L(3 (fter montAs of debate between tAe Ministry of Interior and political parties8 tAe Moroccan go?ernment appro?ed a new electoral law on 0une 938

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

9663. $Ae new law bars parties tAat failed to win at least : per cent of tAe ?ote in tAe 9669 elections to field candidates in tAe 9667 legislati?e elections8 a stipulation strongly criticiCed by small parties. $Ae bill maintains tAe current proportional representation system and tAe siCe of tAe electoral districts8 but increases tAe percentage of ?otes a party must obtain to enter parliament from :L to 7L. Moroccan expatriates will not be allowed to ?ote in legislati?e elections.

P*.i'i1(. P(#'2 L(3& $Ae Moroccan constitution of 5;;3 declares Morocco to be a multiB party system. (rticle : of tAe 5;;3 constitution stipulates8 EPolitical parties8 unions8 district councils and trade cAambers sAall participate in tAe organiCation and representation of tAe citiCens. $Aere sAall be no oneBparty system.F ( political party law <(rabic text= was appro?ed by parliament on 4ctober 958 966/ after extensi?e debate between tAe Ministry of Interior and political parties. $Ae lawH Gas proposed by tAe Ministry of Interior in 4ctober 966+ to Eimpro?e tAe partiesD internal management8 ma@e it easier for tAem to recei?e public funding8 and di?ersify tAeir membersAip by establisAing Muotas for women and youtA.F &ans religious8 racial8 regional8 socioBprofessional8 or linguistic references in party platforms. .tipulates tAat tAe go?ernment will pro?ide a yearly grant to co?er operating costs to tAe parties tAat Aa?e secured at least /L of tAe ?ote in parliamentary elections. $Ais pro?ision created Aeated debate between political parties in Morocco. $Ae two largest parties in parliament8 tAe .ocialist #nion of Popular 7orces and tAe IstiMlal party8 as@ed tAat tAe figure be raised to 56L8 inciting opposition from tAe )ational 'ally of Independents and tAe Popular Mo?ement Party. $Ae 0ustice and 1e?elopment Party <P01= suggested tAat 56L of tAe funds be distributed among all parties and ;6L distributed among tAe parties tAat recei?ed 7L or more of tAe ?ote. #ltimately8 tAe parliamentary committee in cAarge of tAe bill decided on tAe /L minimum. 'eMuires parties to con?ene a congress e?ery four years or lose tAeir subsidy. L(3 * A&&*1i('i* & $Ae "ode of Public ,iberties8 adopted in 5;/8 and amended in 5;7:8 regulates tAe creation and operation of associations. $Ae law states tAat ci?il society organiCations may not engage in political acti?ities.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

$Ae code also reMuires tAe appro?al of tAe ministry of tAe interior before tAe Aolding of any meeting witA tAe purpose of creating an organiCation. (ltAougA tAe autAorities generally o?erloo@ tAis legal obligation8 tAey do use it to inAibit persons or organiCations tAat may ad?ocate sensiti?e causes. 1espite tAe general easing of restrictions on tAe formation of political parties and associations8 &erber acti?ists8 Islamic associations and parties8 and leftist Auman rigAts and political groups are freMuently denied appro?al. $Ae ministry of tAe interior monitors tAe acti?ities of ci?ic associations. 4rganiCations must recei?e appro?al from tAe ministry in order to operate legally.

M%0i( L(3& MoroccoDs Press "ode of 9669 gi?es tAe ministry of interior and tAe prime minister tAe power to register and license publications. (ccording to (rticle 9; of tAe law8 tAe prime minister may order tAe suspension of a publication if it undermines Islam8 tAe monarcAy8 national territorial integrity or public order. GAile critical reporting on most topics is tolerated8 Journalists ris@ imprisonment for ?iolating taboos on issues sucA as tAe monarcAy8 Islam8 and Moroccan claims to tAe Gestern .aAara. $Ae go?ernment periodically confiscates copies of publications tAat cross tAese lines. $Ae ministry of tAe interior pro?ides informal regulations or EguidanceF to Journalists for selfBcensorsAip on sensiti?e topics. 7oreign publications are also examined before distribution and can be banned if tAey contain articles tAat cross tAe lines of acceptable dissent. &roadcast media are mostly go?ernment controlled and reflect official ?iews8 tAougA foreign broadcasting is a?ailable ?ia satellite and a large independent print media flourisAes. $Ae go?ernment owns tAe official press agency MagAreb (rab Presse8 tAe 'adioB$ele?ision Marocaine8 and tAe (rabic daily (lB(nbaa. ( 9669 Press "ode transfers from tAe executi?e to tAe courts tAe autAority to try Journalists accused of insulting tAe royal family. *owe?er8 Judges appointed by tAe @ing preside o?er cases in?ol?ing tAe @ingDs defamation. #nder tAe new code8 tAose found guilty of defaming a member of tAe royal family recei?e sentences ranging from fi?e to twenty years <sAorter tAan under tAe 5;7: Press "ode=. It also ma@es it easier to launcA a publication8 and reMuires tAe go?ernment to gi?e reasons for confiscation. $Ae Moroccan Press #nion8 Aowe?er8 condemned tAe measure for not eliminating penal sanctions entirely. (utAorities retain tAe power to re?o@e publication licenses or to confiscate and suspend publications deemed tAreatening to public order.

B B B

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

$Ae passage of a contro?ersial new antiterrorism law in May re?ersed many of tAe press freedoms only recently enforced by tAe re?ised 9669 Press "ode. In May 966:8 tAe go?ernment in?o@ed (rticle +5 of tAe antiBterror legislation to set stricter limits on and penalties for speecA offenses <under tAe pretext of protecting Moroccan territorial integrity=. $ArougA subsidies8 ad?ertising allocation8 and onerous regulation and licensing procedures8 tAe go?ernment closely monitors and controls media content. 4n )o?ember 9/8 966+8 tAe Moroccan parliament unanimously passed a law to liberaliCe tAe countryDs audioB?isual sector. $Ae legislation opens up tAe go?ernmentDs radio cAannel and two tele?ision stations to in?estors8 altAougA no in?estor is permitted to own more tAan /5L of tAe capital of any audio?isual company. (ccording to tAe annual Gorldwide Press 7reedom Index by 'eporters witAout &orders8 Morocco ran@s 563 of 53; countries. $Ae index runs from 5 <most press freedom= to 53; <least press freedom=. R%,*#$& U 0%# Di&1+&&i* ( draft press law under discussion among Journalists and tAe go?ernment would @eep criminal penalties in place for Journalists cAarged witA ?iolating bans against offending tAe monarcAy8 Islam8 and state institutions sucA as tAe army and Judiciary. $Ae new draft law also stipulates tAe creation of a )ational Press "ouncil wAose 5/ members would be appointed by tAe @ing and Journalists. "lic@ Aere for details. P%#&* (. S'('+& L(3 ( new 7amily ,aw <Moudawana= was adopted on 4ctober 568 966:8 replacing tAe older 7amily ,aw of 5;/7. Gomen are allowed to be tAeir own guardians8 and tAerefore are not legally bound by tAe decisions of tAeir male relati?es witA regard to marriage8 education8 and employment. $Ae legal age of marriage was raised to 58.

Polygamy came under new restrictions tAat are generally proAibiti?eH tAe first wife must gi?e Aer consentK tAe second wife must be notified of tAe existence of tAe first wifeK a Judge must gi?e consent based on proof of eMual status being granted to eacA wife and tAeir cAildren. In addition8 tAe new law allows for tAe creation of a marriage contract excluding tAe possibility of future polygamous marriage. Gomen Aa?e eMual rigAt to di?orce.

Recent Government Initiatives Affecting Rights /

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

Iing MuAammad %I establisAed tAe Muity and 'econciliation "ommission <I '= on 0anuary 78 966+ to in?estigate cases of disappearances and detention tAat occurred between 5;/3 and 5;;;. $Ae "ommission organiCed a series of Aearings broadcast on national tele?ision and radio in 966/ in wAicA ?ictims and relati?es of ?ictims of disappearances and arbitrary detention were allowed to present testimonies before tAe Moroccan public. $Ae "ommissionDs report released on 0anuary 9663 stated tAat 7+: Moroccans were @illed by tAe go?ernment during tAe period of study and tAat 3/ otAers remained missing as a result of forced disappearances. $Ae go?ernment agrees to pro?ide financial compensation to almost ;8666 ?ictims and tAeir families.

$Ae Ministry of *uman 'igAts was created in 5;;: and tAen abolisAed in a cabinet resAuffle in 0une 966+. $Ae go?ernment folded Auman rigAts responsibilities into tAe Ministry of 0ustice.

In 5;;68 Iing *assan establisAed tAe 'oyal "onsultati?e "ouncil on *uman 'igAts <"onseil "onsultatif des 1roits de lN*omme8 ""1*=8 Aeaded by tAe president of tAe .upreme "ourt and composed of representati?es of go?ernment and opposition political parties8 labor unions8 Auman rigAts organiCations8 and religious groups8 to ad?ise tAe @ing on Auman rigAts and prison reforms. Initially8 tAe ""1* was set up to resol?e cases of forcible disappearances and compensate ?ictims of Auman rigAts ?iolations8 tAereby officially recogniCing state responsibility for Auman rigAts ?iolations. Iing MuAammad %I expanded tAe councilDs mandate and autonomy in 0uly 9669.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

olitical Forces
olitical arties $Aere are approximately +6 political parties in Morocco8 twentyBsix of wAicA are represented in tAe *ouse of 'epresentati?es.

$Ae leftBleaning .ocialist #nion of Popular 7orces <#.7P= is tAe largest party in tAe Moroccan parliament </6 of :9/ seats=. It go?erns along witA two otAer leftBleaning partiesOtAe Party of Progress and .ocialism <PP.=8 and tAe ,eftist #nified .ocialist #nion <formerly tAe 4rganiCation for 1emocratic and Popular (ctionB4(1P=Oas well as tAe nationalist IstiMlal <Independence Party=. $Ae coalition is @nown as tAe EIutlaF bloc.

.e?eral partiesO including tAe )ational 'ally of Independents <')I= and tAe "onstitutional #nion <#"= O were created at tAe monarcAsD reMuest in an attempt to mobiliCe young urbanBbased professional constituencies to counterbalance tAe influence of tAe left witAin tAe urban middle class <including public sector employees8 ser?ice sector wor@ers8 intellectuals8 and labor union members=.

#ntil tAe 5;;3 elections8 no Islamist party was allowed to participate in elections. In tAe 5;;3 elections8 candidates from tAe newly created Islamic party8 alBIslaA wal $aJdid8 participated. (lBIslaA wal $aJdid Aas since transformed into *iCb alB(dala wal $anmiya <Party of 0ustice and 1e?elopment=8 and now plays a significant role in Moroccan politics. $Ae Party of 0ustice and 1e?elopment <P01= ad?ocates tAe establisAment of an Islamic state tArougA nonB?iolent means and is tAe tAird largest party in parliament.

$wo otAer Islamist parties Aa?e formed recentlyH $Ae "i?iliCed (lternati?e Party and tAe )ew ,eftist Islamic Party <wAose founding members are from tAe leftist #.7P and PP..

*istorically8 MoroccoDs populist political parties Aa?e been cAaracteriCed by indi?idual ri?alries tAat often create internal paralysis8 fragmentation8 and disintegration. $Ais Aas pre?ented tAem from mobiliCing indi?iduals in public life <rendering tAem8 in tAe eyes of tAeir constituents8 ?eAicles for tAe personal ambitions of tAeir leaders=.

$Aere are widespread complaints tAat politicians do not consult sufficiently witAin tAeir respecti?e parties before ma@ing decisions.

(ccording to tAe results of a poll conducted by Maroc9696 in (pril 9669 regarding political attitudes of tAe Moroccan public8 9+L of tAose sur?eyed claimed not to be sure of wAat distinguisAes political parties from one anotAer and ++L were Enot at all aware.F 4nly one fiftA of tAe public considered tAemsel?es lin@ed to political parties </L as militant supporters and 53L as sympatAiCers=.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

4nly 95L tAougAt political parties completely reflect tAe needs and priorities of Morocco. +8L said tAey do to a limited extent8 and :7L claimed tAey do not at all.

R%,*#$& + 0%# Di&1+&&i* 'ecently opposition parties and political organiCations Aa?e been discussing tAe issue of constitution reform concerning tAe powers of tAe @ing and tAe separation of powers. ( number of political actors including P01 parliamentary leader MustapAa 'amid8 tAe leftist association E7aitAfulness to 1emocracy8F and ?arious ci?il society organiCations sucA as tAe Moroccan (ssociation of *uman 'igAts call for tAe establisAment of a parliamentary monarcAy. $Ae parties in power8 notably tAe E@utlaF bloc8 are not eager to engage in constitutional reform8 demonstrating tAe dicAotomy tAat exists today in Morocco witA regards to reform between tAe parties of tAe opposition <botA witAin and outside tAe parliament= and tAe parties in power. .e?eral political parties are in tAe process of mergingH $Aree centrist &erber parties began negotiating a merger in tAe spring of 966/H $Ae )ational Popular Mo?ement <M)P=8 tAe Popular Mo?ement <MP=8 and tAe 1emocratic #nion <#1=. $Aese parties are @nown as tAe *ara@i parties. $Ae 1emocratic .ocialist Party <P.1= Aas declared its intention to merge witA tAe larger #.7P.

Main Islamist mo?ements/organiCations tAat are not recogniCed as political partiesH B B B B B B B (lB(dl wal IAsan <0ustice and "Aarity= It did not become a recogniCable organiCation until tAe 5;86s. It is organiCed around tAe leadersAip and ideas of (bdeslam 2assine <wAo spent tAe 5;;6s in Aouse arrest and was released in May 9666=. #nli@e tAe P018 alB(dl wal IAsan reJects tAe Moroccan political system entirely and is ?ery critical of tAe monarcAy. Periodically cooperates witA tAe P01 on common campaigns related to issues sucA as Palestine8 but otAerwise tAere is no ongoing contacts or coordination. "alled upon its supporters to boycott tAe 9669 legislati?e elections. $Ae leadersAip stresses tAat tAe organiCation is not primarily a political mo?ement but ratAer a social mo?ement witA empAasis on preacAing and study and personal spiritual de?elopment ratAer tAan political acti?ism. $Ae mo?ement formed a Epolitical circleF in 5;;8 to coordinate its political acti?ities and continues to gi?e inter?iews to tAe domestic and foreign media concerning political de?elopments in Morocco. )adia 2assine8 tAe unofficial spo@eswoman of MoroccoDs unrecogniCed Islamist mo?ement alB(dl wal IAsan <0ustice and "Aarity= was cAarged witA defaming tAe monarcAy. 2assine said sAe preferred a republic to an Eautocratic regimeF in an inter?iew witA tAe al-Usbuiyya al-Jadida daily on 0une 98 966/. ditor (bdelaCiC Iou@as is also on trial. If con?icted8 tAey
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

will face Jail sentences of tAree to fi?e years and fines between 568666 and 5668666 dirAam <>58566 and >558666=. .ince tAe May 538 966: bombings8 Moroccan go?ernment officials and some ci?il society groups Aa?e expressed concern tAat tAe P01 and otAer Islamist organiCations Aa?e ta@en ad?antage of loose financial controls to recei?e funds from botA local and foreign sources tAat could be used to support ?iolence and propagate extremist interpretations of Islam.

Civil Societ&

$Aere are about /8666 nonBgo?ernmental organiCations in Morocco #nions and Professional .yndicatesH Moroccan ,abor #nion <#M$=Ono political affiliation "onfederation of 1emocratic ,abor <"1$=Oaffiliated witA tAe .ocialist #nion of Popular 7orces -eneral #nion of Gor@ing Moroccans <#-M$=Oaffiliated witA tAe IstiMlal Party -eneral "onfederation of Moroccan nterprises <"- M=H group of entrepreneurs wAo Aa?e come to dominate MoroccoDs business syndicate )ational #nion of Moroccan Gor@ers <#)$M= Popular .yndicates #nion <#.P= #nion of 7ree Gor@ers <#.$,= Popular )ational .yndicate <.)P= 1emocratic .yndicates #nion <#.1= #nion of Moroccan Gor@ers <#$M= )ational .yndicate of *igAer ducation )ational .tudents #nion -eneral .tudents #nion Moroccan (ssociation of (ttorneys Moroccan Professional (ssociation of ,awyers

,ess tAan 56L of MoroccoDs nine million wor@ers are actually $Ae ministry of tAe interior often infiltrates unions to monitor acti?ities.

unioniCed.

GAile tAe constitution pro?ides for tAe rigAt to stri@e8 tAe law reMuires compulsory arbitration of disputes8 tAe go?ernment uses force to brea@ up stri@es8 and employers can initiate criminal prosecutions against stri@ing wor@ers. Political parties affiliated witA certain unions inter?ene to manipulate tAe election of union leaders. (s a result8 labor unions are increasingly seen as political tools in tAe Aands of tAe autAorities and political parties.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

*uman 'igAts 4rganiCationsH $Aere are tAree officially recogniCed nonBgo?ernmental Auman rigAts groupsH Moroccan *uman 'igAts 4rganiCation <4M1*=8 Moroccan *uman 'igAts (ssociation <(M1*=8 and Moroccan 1efense ,eague of *uman 'igAts <,M11*=. *ow mucA pressure domestic Auman rigAts organiCations can apply is Muestionable because of state restraints and internal problems witA tAe organiCations. *uman rigAts organiCations are also partially affiliated witA political parties. (ssociations Aa?e been approacAed and used by political parties and indi?iduals for electoral and personal ad?ancement <.ucA as labor unions and associations of writers and economists tAat are @nown to Aa?e sympatAies for parties of tAe left and often ser?e as a forum for party acti?ities=. $Ae organiCations continue to elicit criticism <directed at )-4s in general= regarding tAeir limited membersAipK most are located witAin 'abatB "asablanca corridor.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

Election Results

'esults of elections for *ouse of 'epresentati?es on .eptember 78 P(#'2 IstiMlal Party 0ustice and 1e?elopment Party <P01= Popular Mo?ement Party )ational 'ally of Independents .ocialist #nion of Popular 7orces "onstitutional #nion Party of Progress and .ocialism 7ront of 1emocratic 7orces .ocial 1emocratic Mo?ement )ational 1emocratic PartyB(l (Ad #nion <0oint ,ist= (l (Ad Party )ational 1emocratic Party P(1.B")IBP.# #nion <0oint ,ist= ,abor Party n?ironment and 1e?elopment Party Party of 'enewal and Muity .ocialist Party 1emocratic #nion )ational "ongress Party "itiCens 7orces Party "itiCensAip and 1e?elopment Initiati?e Party of 'enaissance and %irtue N+$)%# *, &%('& /9 +7 +: :8 :3 97 57 ; ; 8 : : 3 / / + 9 9 5 5 5 5

9667H

%oter $urnoutH :7L8 tAe lowest in tAe Aistory of Moroccan national elections. 'esults of elections to parliamentDs upper Aouse on .eptember 88 9663H $Ae go?erning maJority <dominated by tAe Independence Party and tAe .ocialist #nion of 7orces for Progress= won twoBtAirds of tAe seats in partial elections. $Ae Islamist Party for 0ustice and 1e?elopment did not win any of tAe ;6 seats. $Aese elections are seen largely as a formality because tAe ?ote is limited to local councils8 trade unions8 and administrati?e bodies. Moroccan newspapers AigAligAted tAe scarcity of women among tAe candidates for tAe upper AouseK of 337 candidates only 57 were women. $Ae (ssembly Aas 976 members wAo ser?e nineByear terms. ?ery tAree years elections are Aeld for ;6 seats

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

'esults of elections for *ouse of 'epresentati?es on .eptember 978 P(#'2 .ocialist #nion of Popular 7orces IstiMlal Party 0ustice and 1e?elopment Party <P01= )ational 'ally of Independents Popular Mo?ement PartyH )ational Popular Mo?ement "onstitutional #nion )ational 1emocratic Party 7ront of 1emocratic 7orces Party of Progress and .ocialism 1emocratic #nion .ocial 1emocratic Mo?ement 1emocratic .ocialist Party (l (Ad Party (lliance of 7reedoms 'eform and 1e?elopment Party #nified .ocialist ,eft Moroccan ,iberal Party "itiCensAip 7orces Party n?ironment and 1e?elopment Party Independence and 1emocracy Party )ational IttiAadi "ongress (lliance of ,iberties %oter turnoutH /9L. 'esults of municipal elections on .eptember 598 966:H
art& ( of seats

9669H N+$)%# *, &%('& /6 +8 +9 +5 97 58 53 59 59 55 56 7 3 / + : : : 9 9 9 5 5

IstiMlal Party .ocialist #nion of Popular 7orces )ational 'ally of Independents 0ustice and 1e?elopment Party

57 5/ 59 9.3

%oter $urnoutH /+L <down from 7/L in tAe 5;;7 municipal elections=.

$Ae 9669 legislati?e and 966: municipal elections were considered tAe most transparent in Morocco since 5;3:. (ll political parties were gi?en eMual access to public media8 tAe ministry of interior launcAed a nationwide ?oter education campaign and domestic monitors were permitted to obser?e tAe elections for tAe first time. &ut serious problems continue to undermine tAe electoral process.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

7raud is pre?alent in parliamentary elections. lectoral competition suffers from ?arious forms of manipulation including ?ote buying8 administrati?e interference8 orcAestration from abo?e8 and limitations on tAe degree to wAicA candidates can run in tAe constituencies of tAeir cAoice.

$Ae elections to tAe *ouse of "ounsellors are set after tAose to *ouse of 'epresentati?es8 wAicA allows tAe dominant parties and tAe administration to correct unforeseen political balances.

In an attempt to lower tAe political profile of Islamists following tAe May 53 "asablanca terrorist bombings8 for wAicA Moroccan autAorities claimed tAe P01 sAared Emoral responsibility8F tAe monarcAy reportedly pressured tAe party to run a ?ery limited number of candidates. 7ielding candidates in only 58L of MoroccoNs 58/++ municipalities8 tAe P01 won Just /;: seats8 or 9.3L of all seats nationwide. $Ae party managed to elect 53L of its candidates and to poll well in its strongAolds of "asablanca and 'abat8 a performance tAat tAe P01 leadersAip described as Ewinning.F

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

Constitutional Revision
$Ae @ing and parliament Aa?e tAe rigAt to initiate a re?ision of tAe constitution. $Ae @ing may also submit an amendment directly to referendum. ( proposal for re?ision submitted by one or more members of one of tAe two Aouses is adopted only if ?oted by a twoBtAirds maJority of tAe members in tAe Aouse concerned. ( re?ision of tAe constitution becomes definite after appro?al by referendum.

$Ae articles of tAe constitution on tAe monarcAy8 and Islam may not be

re?ised. ( constitution was adopted in 5;39 and re?ised in 5;768 5;798 5;868 5;;98 and 5;;3. $Ae 5;;9 amendments created a "onstitutional "ouncil and parliamentary in?estigation committees and also reduced tAe age for full legal citiCensAip from 95 to 96. $Ae 5;;3 amendments created a bicameral legislature.

acA constitutional re?ision was designed by tAe @ing and ratified by popular ?ote. $Ais confirms tAe preBeminence of tAe monarcAy and its control o?er otAer political institutionsOlegislati?e8 executi?e8 or Judicial.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

Corruption

"orruption is per?asi?e and systemic in Morocco. Polls conducted by local and foreign groups indicate tAat an o?erwAelming maJority of Moroccan entrepreneurs continue to consider corruption tAe primary obstacle to in?estment and economic de?elopment. $ransparency InternationalDs "orruption Perception Index 9667 ran@s Morocco 79nd out of 586 countries. Political parties Aa?e been caugAt in maJor corruption scandals. $Ae Moroccan go?ernment made tAe figAt against corruption official in 5;;;. $Ae -ood Management Pact <Pacte de &onne -estion or P&-= was introduced to ser?e as a reference guide for ci?il ser?ants in tAe implementation of administrati?e reform. $ransparency Maroc8 a local brancA of $ransparency International was allowed to publiciCe its findings in a speecA to Parliament in 4ctober 9666.

In 96698 independent newspapers began to report o?ertly about official

corruption. $Ae cabinet enacted new anticorruption laws and empowered a new ministry of ci?il ser?ice and administrati?e reform to monitor tAe misconduct of ci?il ser?ants.

In 96658 tAe go?ernment promised tAe creation of an independent body to monitor corruption. $AougA tAe body initially en?isioned ne?er materialiCed8 anotAer autAority8 tAe 1iwan alBMadAalim8 was created late tAat year and was endowed witA some o?ersigAt functions in tAe area of corruption.

$Ae measures Aa?e targeted petty corruption witAout toucAing tAe deep political roots of corruption and tAe entrencAed interests of tAe armed forces8 big business8 and tAe monarcAy. $Ae go?ernment Aas suppressed allegations of corruption in tAe military. Political pressure groups Joined to form )etwor@ of (ssociations for tAe 7igAt (gainst "orruption in 5;;8. $Ae networ@ encompasses more tAan +6 associations including tAe most prominent8 acti?e8 and successful ad?ocacy groupsH $ransparency Maroc8 Maroc 96968 Moroccan (ssociation of (ttorneys8 Moroccan Professional (ssociation of ,awyers8 1emocratic (ssociation of Moroccan Gomen8 #nion for GomenDs (ction8 space (ssociatif.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Morocco

Ratification of International Conventions

International "o?enant on "i?il and Political 'igAts <""P'= on May :8

5;7;.

International "o?enant on conomic8 .ocial and "ultural 'igAts <" ."'= on May :8 5;7;

$Ae "on?ention on tAe limination of (ll 7orms of $orture and 4tAer "ruel8 InAuman or 1egrading $reatment or PunisAment <"($= on 0une 958 5;;:

$Ae International "on?ention on tAe limination of (ll 7orms of 'acial 1iscrimination <" '1= on 1ecember 588 5;76

$Ae "on?ention of on tAe limination of (ll 7orms of 1iscrimination against Gomen <" 1(G= on 0une 958 5;;:

$Ae "on?ention on tAe 'igAts of tAe "Aild <"'"= on 0une 958 5;;:.

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