Human Rights Minister: Morocco Made Great Strides in Ending Violations

A general view of Rabat, Morocco. (AFP)
A general view of Rabat, Morocco. (AFP)
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Human Rights Minister: Morocco Made Great Strides in Ending Violations

A general view of Rabat, Morocco. (AFP)
A general view of Rabat, Morocco. (AFP)

Mustafa al-Rumaid, Moroccan acting minister of human rights, has stated that Morocco has made great strides in flagrant violations that have now become from the past. Yet there remain some cases that represent a challenge on the level of ensuring the efficiency of the national protection system.

The Moroccan minister added, during presenting a report on human rights' situation since adopting the constitution in 2011, that the general indicators reveal a development on the level of civil and political rights.

Rumaid stressed ensuring the practice of general freedoms namely the right to assemble and protest in which statistics show the growth of practicing these rights and freedoms in various regions of Morocco.

The minister stated that there are violations for some reasons attributed to the absence of human rights concept among those enforcing the law, as well as not abiding by the law from the side of citizens.

Rumaid stated that efforts have disclosed the fate of 801 victims of the forced disappearance and arbitrary detention or people who died in various social events.

On the level of economic, social, cultural and environmental rights, the report tackled the right of education, health and work noting that services enhanced in these sectors. However, the shortage remains high.

The report added that there has been a progress in reinforcing social protection of women through the outcomes of the Social Cohesion Fund and Family Takaful Funds.

As for the rights of the physically challenged, he pointed out that this category still needs more care and more comprehensive protection. Regarding prisoners, the report revealed that they witnessed a progress in the health, education and nutrition services.



EU’s Borrell Urges Israel to Accept Lebanon Ceasefire ‘Today’

 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
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EU’s Borrell Urges Israel to Accept Lebanon Ceasefire ‘Today’

 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)

The European Union's foreign policy chief urged the Israeli government on Tuesday to back a proposed ceasefire deal in Lebanon which he said has all the necessary security guarantees for Israel.

Speaking at a G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in Italy, Josep Borrell said there was no excuse for not implementing the deal with Iran-backed Hezbollah, adding pressure should be exerted on Israel to approve it immediately.

"Let's hope that today (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu will approve the ceasefire agreement proposed by the US and France. No more excuses. No more additional requests," Borrell said, criticizing hard-line Israeli ministers who have spoken against the deal.

Israel looks set to approve a US plan for a ceasefire with Hezbollah on Tuesday, a senior Israeli official said.

Borrell, who said he discussed prospects for a deal in a recent trip to Lebanon, said one of the sticking points was whether France should be included in a committee monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire, which the US is due to chair.

He said the Lebanese have specifically asked for France's involvement, but the Israelis have misgivings.

"This is one of the points that are still missing," he said.

Borrell also criticized what he saw as Western double standards on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense chief, and a Hamas leader, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.

"You cannot applaud when the court goes against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and remain silent when the court goes against Netanyahu," he said, urging European Union member states to support the ICC.

Italy, which holds the G7 presidency, said on Monday it was trying to broker a common position for the group on the ICC decision, but progress is hard since the US has said it does not recognizethe jurisdiction of the court and opposes the arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

The G7 comprises the US, Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Canada and Japan.