Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent findings of the Royal Commission of Justice and Reconciliation established by King Mohammed of the Kingdom of Morocco; if assistance will be given to that country in respect of the implementation of the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7732/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment by King Mohammed VI in January 2004 of the Commission of Justice and Reconciliation was a courageous initiative, unprecedented in the region, to investigate human rights abuses in the period from 1956 to 1999. The commission successfully initiated a vigorous public debate in Morocco on the difficult legacy of that era. It presented a very substantial 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.

The determination with which the Commission of Justice and Reconciliation undertook its difficult task has been impressive. I am particularly 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 a difficult and a painful one 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 our EU partners are strongly committed to the strengthening of relations with Morocco, which plays an important and 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.