RABAT - Morocco has finished paying out more than 140 million euros in compensation to victims of human rights abuses under the iron-fisted rule of former king Hassan II, an official said Friday.
"We announce that we have practically completed the individual compensation process for victims and those entitled," said Ahmed Herzenni, president of the Moroccan Consultative Council on Human Rights.
A total of 23,676 people receieved compensation of about 1.56 billion dirhams (140 million euros, 193 million dollars), in a process that began in the 1990s.
"I salute these people because, beyond money, what is important is that the state recognise serious abuses committed against individuals and groups," said Herzenni, a former political detainee.
Some 12,000 families of victims will also benefit from medical coverage.
King Hassan II ruled from 1961 until his death in 1999.
The period from the 1960s to the late 1980s was labelled by the Moroccan opposition as the "years of lead" during which many dissidents were jailed, killed or exiled. Many also disappeared.
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