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Moroccan parliamentarians on Monday accused the European Parliament of interfering after a resolution urging the kingdom to respect press freedom, and voted unanimously to review relations with the European Parliament.
Members of both houses of the Moroccan parliament met in the capital Rabat for a joint session in response to a non-binding European instrument adopted on Thursday.
In a post-session statement, Moroccan parliamentarians called the European resolution “an unacceptable attack on the sovereignty, dignity and independence of the Kingdom’s judiciary.”
They said it “severely damaged the basic trust” between them.
As a result, the Moroccan parliament “has decided to reconsider its relationship with the European Parliament and submit it for an overall assessment,” said House of Commons Speaker Rashid Talbi Alami. He gave no further details.
Under the 1996 agreement, Morocco and the European Union have had close economic and commercial ties, particularly in agriculture and fisheries.
“Their decision does not threaten us and we are not going to change our path and approach,” said Mohammed Giat, president of the National Non-Party Assembly, the largest party in Morocco’s ruling coalition.
MEPs in Strasbourg urged Morocco to “respect freedom of expression and freedom of the media” and “guarantee a fair trial for imprisoned journalists…”.
The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) watchdog hailed the EU parliamentary vote as a departure from “25 years of negativity”.
Some lawmakers see France, Morocco’s former colonial ruler, pushing the European measures.
“Behind the scenes of this decision is hidden a country that we thought was a friend and a steadfast partner, but the smell of gas has taken it away,” said Ahmed Twizi of the True Modern Party. said.
Twisi, who belongs to the majority coalition, cited the friendship between Morocco’s neighbor and rival, Algeria, and Algeria, a major gas exporter to European countries.
“Morocco is sick of double standards,” Abdelmajid Fasi-Fihri of the Istiqlal Party told AFP. He lamented the fact that the European Parliament did not condemn the attack on press freedom in Algeria.
– Imprisoned Journalist –
The cases of two of Morocco’s most prominent journalists are those of Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni, whose sexual abuse charges were appealed last year.
Radi, 36, who was critical of Moroccan authorities, was sentenced to six years in prison for rape and espionage, a charge he denies.
Raissouni is serving a five-year sentence. He, too, has always maintained his innocence, stating that he was indicted “for his opinion.”
Moroccan authorities maintain that the judiciary is independent and the cases against journalists have nothing to do with journalism.
Last week, MEPs said they were “deeply concerned” by allegations that Moroccan authorities had bribed lawmakers, reaffirming their commitment to “fully investigate” corruption.
A corruption scandal involving MEPs that erupted last month shocked EU circles in Brussels, with MEPs accused of taking bribes not only from Morocco but also from Qatar.
Both countries vehemently deny the accusations.
Following the European resolution, an “authoritative source” in Rabat’s foreign ministry, citing media reports close to the government, said the EU measures “will not affect Morocco.”
The source said, “It fits the attack and harassment the kingdom is receiving from people who have been hampered by Morocco’s development, prosperity and strong role in the region.”
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