Written answers

Wednesday, 22 February 2006

Department of Foreign Affairs

Human Rights Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has studied the recently published report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission presented to King Mohammed VI of Morocco; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7002/06]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of the Justice and Reconciliation Commission by King Mohammed VI of Morocco in January 2004 was a courageous initiative, unprecedented in the region, to investigate human rights abuses in the period from 1956 to 1999. The 17-member commission was successful in launching a vigorous public debate in Morocco on the difficult legacy of that era. It presented its report to the king in December 2005, detailing extensive human rights abuses and making specific recommendations to the Government on compensation for victims and their families and on further legal steps to strengthen the rule of law. I was greatly impressed by the determination with which the Justice and Reconciliation Commission undertook its difficult task and I am encouraged by the positive reaction of the king and of the government of Morocco to its report and recommendations. The process of reconciliation following decades of human rights abuses is difficult and painful for any country. The Government and our partners in the EU will support the Moroccan authorities, as they work to follow up and implement the recommendations of the Commission.

More broadly, the Government, and its partners in the EU, are strongly committed to the strengthening of relations with Morocco, which continues to play an important, constructive role in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. Under the European neighbourhood policy, the relationship between the EU and Morocco is firmly based on respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms. Considerable progress has been made in the political reform process in recent years. I warmly welcome the important steps which have been taken by the government of Morocco to put in place the legislative structure for the protection and the promotion of human rights, including the adoption of an updated law against the use of torture, in compliance with UN definitions. The EU has welcomed the review undertaken by the government of reservations to several human rights conventions, and has encouraged it to pursue this work as a matter of priority. The EU has also welcomed the moratorium on the death penalty, and the important national debate launched by the Moroccan authorities on its abolition.

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