Rabat – The Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights (DIDH) stated on Monday that the section dedicated to Morocco in the 2023 Amnesty International (AI) report, published last April 24th, constitutes further evidence of this organization’s systematic targeting and persistence in pursuing campaigns against the Kingdom.
In a statement, the DIDH emphasizes that these campaigns rely on selective approaches in presenting data, choosing cases, and in the way they present the issues, arbitrarily drawing erroneous conclusions based on false narratives and unfounded allegations.
The DIDH accuses AI of deceitfully advancing allegations of “intolerance towards freedom of expression” based on selected cases, either judged or under trial, without acknowledging that this approach violates the rule of law and the principle of equality. It also accuses AI of perpetuating impunity, protecting individuals involved in public law crimes, and denying victims their right to justice.
According to the DIDH, AI’s approach con
tradicts fundamental human rights principles consistently proclaimed by international mechanisms.
By using cases outside the period covered by the report to serve its own agenda, AI has compromised its credibility and professionalism necessary to evaluate the human rights situation worldwide, the statement continues.
The delegation also criticized AI’s deliberate misclassification of certain cases as torture, while some involve extradition procedures under international judicial cooperation, and others lack evidence to be categorized as torture.
AI’s manipulation through biased and arbitrary classification of allegations for provocative purposes is part of its approach of manipulation, instrumentalization, and exploitation to serve particular interests, the statement adds. It insists that AI should conduct thorough research and investigations to verify the accuracy of torture allegations before including them in the report, especially since none of these cases have been complained about or reported to comp
etent authorities.
The DIDH observes that AI chose to ignore all the clarifications provided by Moroccan authorities to various UN human rights mechanisms regarding the events in the Nador-Melilla region, which have been published on the official websites of these mechanisms. These explanations include detailed accounts of what happened and the measures taken by the Kingdom in line with human rights, justice, and the rule of law requirements, including research findings and investigations into the matter.
The organization’s reliance on events concerning the Nador-Melilla region without considering UN documents indicates a bias, notes the same source, adding that some data in the report contradict UN documents.
The report’s authors seem to serve agendas hostile to Morocco’s territorial integrity by trying to exploit the visit of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Moroccan Sahara to spread fabricated information based on narratives from Morocco’s adversaries without verifying their accuracy, e
specially regarding alleged dispersals of peaceful gatherings and restrictions on associations, asserts the DIDH. It emphasizes that the envoy’s visit proceeded under normal conditions, with Moroccan authorities ensuring its success.
The reality on the ground confirms that peaceful gatherings and the right to form associations are guaranteed by the Constitution and laws to all citizens across different regions of the Kingdom without discrimination.
Moreover, the Interministerial Delegation noted that the report’s authors deliberately omitted mentioning the systematic and grave human rights violations in the Tindouf camps, despite successive international reports indicating cases worthy of investigation, thus demonstrating the organization’s blatant bias and interference in the responsibilities of the Security Council regarding the MINURSO mandate.
For all these reasons, the Interministerial Delegation expressed outright rejection of the unfounded allegations and biased positions contained in the aforementi
oned report concerning Morocco, reiterating its willingness to engage constructively and positively with serious and credible international organizations’ reports by providing all necessary clarifications and data to contribute to objective and realistic assessments of the human rights situation in the Kingdom.
Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse