By RFIPalled on 10-09-2019Modified on 10-09-2019 at 01:14

Moroccan justice decided on Monday to return to September 16 the trial for "illegal abortion" of a journalist, before rejecting his request for freedom.

Hajar Raissouni, a reporter for the Arabic-language daily Akhbar Al-Yaoum, faces up to two years in prison under the Moroccan Penal Code, which punishes abortion when the mother's life is not in danger. She is also being prosecuted for "non-marital sex".

The defense team, grouping about twenty lawyers, argued at length for his release before a full house, highlighting in particular " the contradictions between the constitutional provisions relating to freedoms and the judiciary ". The Rabat court deliberated for several hours before rejecting their claim.

For the journalist's lawyers, her continued detention is unjustified.

It is against the rights of the man, it is illegal, it is against the public freedom, it is against Morocco, against the Constitution. It is unacceptable, really unacceptable. The National Council for Human Rights also asks to release Hajar Raissouni

Saad Sehli

10-09-2019 - By Gaëlle Laleix

Arrested and tried at the same time she, her fiance, the attending physician, a nurse and a medical secretary will also remain in prison until the next hearing, according to defense lawyers.

The case relaunches the debate on abortion

The case sparked an indignant debate in the media and on social networks, with questions about individual freedoms in Morocco, the right of women to dispose of their bodies, respect for privacy or independence. of the press.

The feminist associations, very involved in this case, hope that the case will lead to a new legislation on abortion, now authorized only if the life of the mother is in danger. For them, the laws must change.

" What we do not understand is why the harmonization of laws is struggling to see the day, while our Constitution is very clear, said Amina Lotfi, president of the Democratic Association for Women's Rights. She advocates equality between men and women, she advocates the fight against discrimination ... "

" We are campaigning for the decriminalization of non-consensual sexual relations between consenting adults, so we are campaigning for the decriminalization of abortion and we also hope that all matters concerning abortion will go from the penal code to the code of health, because that it is a public health problem. What is happening now is that many abortions are done underground and many women are victims. "

The case at the front of the social networks

09-09-2019

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