Morocco’s Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights (DIDH) has described the US State Department spokesperson's statement on two controversial court cases as based on "one-sided" information coming exclusively from supporters of the accused.
DIDH issued a press release in response to Ned Price’s comments on a Casablanca court’s sentencing of journalist Suleiman Raissouni to five years in prison.
“This information knowingly obscured the point of view of the complainants and their defenses, going so far as to deny their very status of victim and their universally recognized right to lodge a complaint,” the Delegation said.
It also emphasized Morocco’s attachment to respecting the fundamental rights of all people, whatever their status, citing the independence of the judiciary in the country.
“Morocco remains deeply attached to the consolidation of the values of individual and collective freedoms, in particular the freedoms of expression and association, which are constantly developing,” DIDH concluded.
The State Department criticized Morocco for sentencing detained journalist Suleiman Raissouni to five years in prison and called for press freedoms to be protected.
"We believe the judicial process that led to this verdict contradicts the Moroccan system's fundamental promise of fair trials for individuals accused of crimes and is inconsistent with the promise of the 2011 constitution and King Mohammed VI's reform agenda," Price told reporters.
"Press freedom is foundational to prosperous and secure societies, and governments must ensure that journalists can safely perform their essential roles without fear of unjust attention, violence, or threats," he added.
On Friday, a court in Casablanca sentenced Raissouni to five years in prison and fined him 100,000 dirhams ($10,000).
