MEP slams European Parliament for wiping its feet on Moroccan justice

LONDON - The European Parliament on Thursday condemned what it described as a decline in press freedom in Morocco, saying it was "concerned" by corruption allegations against Rabat.

A corruption scandal involving European Parliament members that erupted last month sent shockwaves through EU circles in Brussels, with MEPs accused of taking bribes from Morocco and Qatar.

In a non-binding text adopted on Thursday, MEPs urged Morocco to "respect freedom of expression and media freedom" and to "guarantee imprisoned journalists... a fair trial".

Two of the most prominent cases in Morocco are those of Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni, both sentenced on appeal last year on sexual abuse charges.

MEPs said Radi's right to a proper defence had not been respected, saying the trial had been "unfair and biased.

They called for an "end to harassment of journalists in the country” and condemned "the Moroccan authorities' misuse of allegations of sexual assault as a means of deterring journalists from doing their job."

Radi was sentenced to six years in prison for "rape" and "undermining the internal and external security of the State", while Raissouni was sentenced to five years in prison for "sexual assault" and Taoufik Bouachrine to 15 years in prison for "trafficking in human beings", "abuse of power for sexual purposes", "rape and attempted rape."

An "authorised source" at the foreign ministry in Rabat, quoted by a media outlet close to the government, said the EU parliament resolution would have "no impact on Morocco... which will not be frightened or intimidated.

"This resolution fits with the aggressions and harassments sustained by the kingdom from those disturbed by Morocco's development, prosperity and strong role in the region," the source added.

The European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell earlier this month visited Morocco, where Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said the country was facing "repeated media attacks" and vowed to "defend the partnership" with the EU.

"This partnership (with the EU) is also facing attacks in the European institutions, particularly in the (European) Parliament, through questions directed at Morocco, which are the result of calculations and a desire to harm this partnership", said Bourita.

Moroccan authorities insist the judiciary is independent and that the cases against journalists have nothing to do with journalism.

MEP Thierry Mariani criticised the European Parliament for taking aim at Morocco while turning a blind eye on Algeria which he said “violates human rights” and “participates in the destabilisation” of Africa.

“The European Left never condemns Algeria and the European Union passes it (Algeria) all while hoping for its gas. Instead, we’re debating Morocco, which is nevertheless one of the pivots of our strategic partnership in Africa,” Mariani told the Parliament.

“What is in this resolution? The assertion that Mr. Radi would not be a rapist. Like each of you, I don't know. on the other hand, unlike the majority of this assembly, I do not consider that the decisions of the Moroccan justice, that the accusations of the victim of rape are worth less than the press releases of Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch,” said Mariani.

The MEP slammed human rights organisations for serving their interests and urged the Parliament to respect the Moroccan justice.

“The recent example of the practices of Fight Impunity must have alerted each of us to the credit that we systematically grant to NGOs. Like the states, they have their interests and their limits. If Mr. Radi is the victim of a conspiracy, it is up to his lawyers and the Moroccan people to demonstrate it, and it's not up to the European Parliament to wipe its feet on Moroccan justice,” he concluded.

The Parliament also said it was "deeply concerned" by allegations that Moroccan authorities had bribed its members and reaffirmed its commitment to "fully investigating" corruption, allegations that Rabat vehemently denies.