Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT517
2006-03-23 11:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
HUMAN RIGHTS: PARLIAMENT PASSES NEW LAW AGAINST
how-toVZCZCXYZ0013 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #0517 0821150 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 231150Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 3832 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2839 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 5408 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 3055 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4080 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 8715 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 1432
UNCLAS RABAT 000517
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PBTS MO
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: PARLIAMENT PASSES NEW LAW AGAINST
TORTURE
UNCLAS RABAT 000517
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PBTS MO
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: PARLIAMENT PASSES NEW LAW AGAINST
TORTURE
1. This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.
2. (U) On March 16, the GOM announced parliament's passage
of a new law against torture, according to the
English-language Morocco Times. The Minister of Justice,
Mohammed Bouzoubaa, reportedly said, "The new law against
torture is part of a judicial arsenal which reinforces the
respect of human rights principles." While the penal code
already sanctioned torture, the minister said the new law
shows "no mercy towards torturers."
3. (U) According to the press account, the new law controls
judicial police activities, provides medical expertise and
lawyer assistance for people in custody. Bouzoubaa
emphasized that the corruption in the judicial system would
cease. He reportedly said, "a network of swindlers was
composed within the justice administration."
4. (SBU) Comment: A new law against torture has long been
promised, having been forecast by PM Jettou two years ago.
The parliamentary passing of an anti-torture law is timely.
The Department's recently published human rights reports
identify incidents of probable torture, both in the Western
Sahara and in detention facilities elsewhere in the country,
as documented by Amnesty International. The law, along with
the minister's statements, indicate that the GOM wants to be
understood as fighting corruption, improving the judicial
system and complying with human rights standards. We will
track application of the new law and reaction within the
human rights community and report as appropriate. End
Comment.
******************************************
Visit EMBASSY Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PBTS MO
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: PARLIAMENT PASSES NEW LAW AGAINST
TORTURE
1. This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.
2. (U) On March 16, the GOM announced parliament's passage
of a new law against torture, according to the
English-language Morocco Times. The Minister of Justice,
Mohammed Bouzoubaa, reportedly said, "The new law against
torture is part of a judicial arsenal which reinforces the
respect of human rights principles." While the penal code
already sanctioned torture, the minister said the new law
shows "no mercy towards torturers."
3. (U) According to the press account, the new law controls
judicial police activities, provides medical expertise and
lawyer assistance for people in custody. Bouzoubaa
emphasized that the corruption in the judicial system would
cease. He reportedly said, "a network of swindlers was
composed within the justice administration."
4. (SBU) Comment: A new law against torture has long been
promised, having been forecast by PM Jettou two years ago.
The parliamentary passing of an anti-torture law is timely.
The Department's recently published human rights reports
identify incidents of probable torture, both in the Western
Sahara and in detention facilities elsewhere in the country,
as documented by Amnesty International. The law, along with
the minister's statements, indicate that the GOM wants to be
understood as fighting corruption, improving the judicial
system and complying with human rights standards. We will
track application of the new law and reaction within the
human rights community and report as appropriate. End
Comment.
******************************************
Visit EMBASSY Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley