Rabat, Jan. 22 (BNA): The Moroccan Supreme Council of the Judiciary expressed its strong condemnation of the baseless allegations contained in the European Parliament’s decision issued on Thursday, January 19, 2023.
In a statement published by the Moroccan News Agency, the Supreme Council, convening on Saturday, took note of the European Parliament’s decision that contains serious accusations and allegations that undermine the independence of the Moroccan judiciary.
The statement stated that these baseless allegations distort the facts and raise doubts about the legality and legitimacy of the judicial procedures, some of which have been judged and others are still under consultation.
Therefore, the Council expresses its strong condemnation of the unfounded allegations contained in the aforementioned resolution.
It also regrets this distortion of facts in the context of trials conducted in accordance with the law, in full compliance with constitutional guarantees and internationally recognized fair trial requirements.
The statement indicated that the Council strongly condemns the approach taken by the European Parliament, which gave itself the right to try the Moroccan judicial system in a blatantly biased manner, which harms the judicial institutions in the Kingdom and violates its independence.
Moreover, the Center categorically rejects any interference in the judiciary’s procedures or attempt to influence its decisions, especially since some of the aforementioned cases are still before the judiciary.
The statement indicates that this contradicts all international rules and standards, including the principles and declarations of the United Nations regarding the independence of the judicial system.
The Council strongly condemns the call in the resolution to put pressure on the judiciary for the immediate release of the aforementioned individuals. This is considered a serious violation of the independence of justice and an attempt to influence the judiciary, especially since some cases are still under judicial scrutiny.
On the other hand, the Supreme Council rejects the inaccuracies contained in the decision, which are inspired by certain sources known for their hard-line positions, and are not documented, and the facts have not been verified and refuted;
The statement stressed that the individuals mentioned in the decision benefited from all guarantees of a fair trial in accordance with the law, including the presumption of innocence, the right to defense, access to all documents related to their cases, and the right to be seen in public. Trial, calling and hearing witnesses, judicial expertise, the right to appeal, and all other guarantees stipulated by Moroccan law and stipulated in international human rights conventions approved by the Kingdom.
The Council stresses that the facts that are the subject of the trial of the individuals mentioned in the European Parliament’s decision are in no way related to their activities as journalists or to the exercise of their freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the law and the Constitution.
In this regard, the judiciary confirms that the charges against these individuals are related to criminal law, including human trafficking, sexual assault, and exploitation of the vulnerability of others. Such acts are severely punished by law, all over the world.
The Council rejects the double standards that characterize this resolution, which instead of condemning the sexual assaults suffered by the victims, defends a series of unfounded lies and allegations.
The Council reaffirms that Morocco has taken important steps over the past years in consolidating the independence of the Public Prosecutor from the executive authorities since 2017, in addition to consolidating the independence of the judiciary stipulated in the 2011 Constitution, which paves the way for the independence of the Public Prosecutor from the executive authority. The way to establish the Supreme Council of the Judiciary in 2017 in accordance with the most advanced international standards for the independence of the judiciary, which some European countries are still far from achieving.
The Council stresses that judges adhere to their independence, protect rights and freedoms, and ensure a fair trial is a constitutional, legal and moral duty.
The Council expresses its keenness to support its role in protecting the independence of the judiciary in the face of all interference and pressures wherever they come, in accordance with the Constitution and its organizational system.
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