B3-1570, 1625 and 1636/93

Resolution on human rights violations in Morocco

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its previous resolutions condemning human rights violations in Morocco, in particular those of 21 January 1993 and 27 May 1993,

A.whereas Morocco has ratified the two international agreements on human rights and has recently ratified the international convention against torture and the international convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women,

B.whereas, in these circumstances, it is unacceptable that numerous political prisoners are still held in custody in Morocco and that one of them, Mr Ahmed Khian held at the Kenitra prison, has suffered twenty-five years of inhuman, cruel and degrading treatment,

C.concerned at the serious condition of Mr Abdelhaq Rouissi, a prisoner of conscience who 'disappeared' on 4 October 1964 and is still under secret arrest,

D.whereas Mr Hussein El Manouzi and Mr Belkasem Ouazzane, both 'missing' since 1972 and 1973, are reportedly still alive and have been transferred to a secret place of detention,

E.whereas the children of General Oufkhir have still not regained their complete freedom, contrary to the undertakings given by the Moroccan Government,

F.having regard to the recent appeals by Amnesty International, the Human Rights League and Moroccan human rights organizations,

G.welcoming the recent creation in Morocco of a Ministry of Human Rights,

1.Condemns the conditions of detention, torture and the disappearances;

2.Calls for the immediate release of Mr Ahmed Khian, Mr Abdelhaq Rouissi, Mr Hussein El Manouzi and Mr Belkasem Ouazzane, all political prisoners and all those imprisoned for political or trade union activity;

3.Calls for the restoration of direct access visiting rights for political prisoners held in Fez prison;

4.Calls for the children of General Oufkhir to be granted complete freedom in accordance with the undertakings given;

5.Calls on the Moroccan Government to reveal the whole truth regarding the fate of missing persons, not to obstruct the freedom of movement of recently released detainees, to end imprisonment on political grounds, illegal confinement and restriction of fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the international conventions to which it is a signatory;

6.Calls on the Union and the governments of the Member States to take all possible measures, in the context of political, economic and trade relations, to compel the Moroccan Government to release all those who have been imprisoned for their political or trade union activities and to put an end to human rights violations;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States and the government of Morocco.