DEATH OF HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER LEAVES VACUUM

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000905 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL/NESCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2010 TAGS: PHUM PGOV MO SUBJECT: DEATH OF HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER LEAVES VACUUM REF: A. 05 RABBAT 01480 ¶B. 06 RABAT 00024 ¶C. RABAT 00395 ¶D. RABAT 00256 Classified By: Political Counselor Craig Karp, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Supporters of reform in Morocco will miss Driss Benzekri, the leading proponent of the nascent Moroccan "culture of human rights." His death on May 20 leaves the Moroccan effort to strengthen human rights without a standard bearer. Benzekri's leadership of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) and the Consultative Council on Human Rights (CCDH),along with his personal history as an opponent of the late king Hassan II and as a political prisoner, enabled him to speak with authority about the necessity for Morocco to follow international human rights law standards and to codify these in the constitution and in laws. It remains to be seen if anyone take on his leadership. Without leadership, further advances are in jeopardy. As with most other issues here, prospects will depend on the king. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Driss Benzekri, president of the Consultative Council on Human Rights (CCDH) and who had been the secretary-general of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission SIPDIS (IER),died Sunday evening at a clinic in Rabat. Benzekri had been seriously ill for the past year and was treated in Paris. King Mohammed VI said his death is a "great loss" for Morocco and praised his "remarkable contribution" as the head of the IER. -------------- Who Was Benzekri? -------------- ¶3. (C) Benzekri was the internal and external face of Morocco's commitment to advancing international human rights standards. As a former political prisoner and one of the founding members of the Forum for Truth and Justice (FVJ) in 1999, Benzekri's voice was heard, listened to and followed (reftel A). Benzekri, even after spending seventeen years in prison for his Marxist opposition to the late King Hassan II's rule, worked towards ensuring that international human rights standards would be adhered to in Morocco. As the "godfather" of the Moroccan version of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation commission, he represented the ability to forgive and move forward as he led national efforts to define human rights. ¶4. (C) Benzekri's formal declaration at the conclusion of the IER's mandate (November 30, 2005) thanked the victims and their families for assisting the IER in its investigation of grave human rights abuses which took place during the "years of lead" (1956-1999). He also thanked "the human rights community," civil society, political organizations and the university community. He hoped to see the IER's "conclusions and results contribute meaningfully to both the history of (his) country and to paving the way for building a state of justice." -------------- Morocco's Culture of Human Rights -------------- ¶5. (C) On February 26, the Government of Morocco (GOM) presented the "National Action Plan for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights." This plan, while only general (reftel C),was one of the IER's recommendations. Benzekri spoke during the formal introduction of the action plan, highlighting the importance of judicial and institutional mechanisms to ensure a "culture of human rights" and emphasizing the necessity for political development. He thought, as others do, that human rights must be consolidated within the constitution and that laws, such as the March 2006 anti-torture law (penal code 43.3),must support the constitutional guarantees. Benzekri cautioned the audience not to jump to conclusions but allow a process to take place. ¶6. (C) Non-governmental (NGO) representatives as well as GOM officials consistently discuss a "culture of human rights" as if it were a fait accompli. When discussing the implementation of a concept or an idea, the CCDH was frequently invoked as the organization which needed to be consulted. A CCDH and Ministry of Justice (MOJ) liaison person attended the U.S. Mission - MOJ meeting in February on human rights concepts and violations (reftel D). -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Benzekri was the preeminent human rights figure in Morocco. He built momentum in Morocco concerning human rights issues; however, no one has the stature he had. Replacing him in office will not be a difficult task; however, replacing his vision, concern for his country and his ability to motivate many to move forward is far more difficult. His "culture of human rights" requires a charismatic visionary, and, most importantly, someone who has the support of the king. While Benzekri inspired many to take up the principled pursuit of human rights, as with most issues in Morocco, significant further progress will continue to depend on the king. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** RILEY