EU-Morocco Action Plan and Human Rights

Press Release 1.4.2004

EU-Morocco Action Plan and Human Rights: Civil Society wants to be heard Meeting in Rabat on 28th March, representatives of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) and its Moroccan member associations (ADFM, OMDH, Espace Associatif and AMDH) call upon the European Union (EU) and the Moroccan government to ensure that Human Rights and Women’s Rights are fundamental elements of the action plan in preparation. Civil society must be consulted both in the development, in the implementation and in the evaluation stages of the plan.

The action plan comprising political, economic and social aspects is currently being prepared between the EU and Morocco within the EU neighbourhood policy framework. It is due to be adopted in June. Human Rights need to form an integral part of this plan.

During their 5-day visit to Morocco, the EMHRN delegation - composed of Kamel Jendoubi, President, Rabéa Naciri, Moroccan Executive Committee member, and Sandrine Grenier, Coordinator in Brussels – had a very fruitful first meeting with its member organisations. The meeting resulted in the development of a joint work programme for human rights protection and promotion in the context of EU-Moroccan relations, and in the setting up of a follow-up committee.

These questions were central to the discussions that the delegation had with the Minister for Human Rights, the President of the Human Rights Consultative Council (Conseil consultatif des droits de l'Homme), the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the President and members of the Equity and Reconciliation Committee, as well as with representatives of the European Commission delegation and of the French and Spanish Embassies in Rabat. All agreed to inform and regularly solicit civil society on these issues.

Moreover, EMHRN representatives participated in the international Truth and Reconciliation seminar held in Rabat on 26-28 March - an opportunity to exchange views with NGO delegates such as those of the follow-up committee.

For additional information, please contact :

Sandrine Grenier, sgrenier@euromedrights.net, tel:+32 (0) 2 513 37 97