Moroccan parliamentarians unanimously decided on Monday 23 January to "reconsider" relations with the European Parliament and rejected any "interference" in Moroccan affairs, in response to a resolution by MEPs expressing concern about press freedom in the country.

The two chambers of Parliament met in plenary session in Rabat to "evaluate" the resolution of the European Parliament (EP), which was also concerned about the allegations of corruption weighing on this country.

In a declaration published at the end of the meeting, the Moroccan Parliament considered that this resolution constitutes "an unacceptable attack against the sovereignty, the dignity and the independence of the judicial institutions of the kingdom".

"It has seriously damaged the capital of trust between the two legislative institutions", is it written in this declaration.

Consequently, the Moroccan assembly "has decided to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament and to submit them to an overall assessment", indicated, without further details, Rachid Talbi Alami, president of the chamber of representatives.

Morocco and the European Union (EU) have been linked since 1996 by an association agreement which covers close economic and commercial relations, particularly in the field of agriculture and fishing.

The "decisions (of MEPs) are not going to intimidate us and we are not going to change our trajectory and our approaches", affirmed Mohamed Ghiat, the president of the group of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the main party of the majority .

"The Smell of Gas"

More particularly targeted: France, a former colonial power, accused of "orchestrating" an anti-Moroccan campaign in Brussels.

"Behind the scenes of this decision hides a country that we thought was a safe friend and partner but the smell of gas made it lose its head", opined Ahmed Touizi, another majority deputy, in reference to the rapprochement. between Paris and Algiers, regional rival of Rabat.

In a text adopted by a large majority last week in Strasbourg, the European Parliament urged the Moroccan authorities to "respect freedom of expression and freedom of the media" and to put an end to "harassment of all journalists".

They also said they were "deeply concerned" by "allegations that the Moroccan authorities have corrupted members of the European Parliament".

"Morocco has had enough of double standards," Abdelmajid Fassi Fihri, deputy of the Istiqlal party, a government party, told AFP, deploring that the EP did not condemn the attacks on the freedom of the press in Algeria.

Some deputies from Moroccan left-wing parties nevertheless demanded "the release of all political prisoners" in Morocco.

"Fabricated" accusations

In Strasbourg, MEPs highlighted the case of Omar Radi, a 36-year-old freelance journalist critical of power, sentenced to six years in prison for "rape" and "espionage", charges he denies.

They asked for his provisional release, as well as that of Taoufik Bouachrine, 54, a former press boss imprisoned since 2018, and Soulaimane Raissouni, 50, another journalist sentenced to five years in prison in 2022.

All three were convicted on sexual charges, which human rights NGOs say were "fabricated" by the Moroccan authorities.

The European Parliament resolution adopted in Strasbourg was welcomed by Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and support committees for prisoners of conscience in Morocco.

With AFP

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