Brussels, 31/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to devote 26.5 million dirham (about €2.3 million) to promoting human rights in Morocco. It has launched a call for proposals (deadline 26 May 2010) for action to support the civil society. The aim is, according to the delegation in Rabat, to “develop greater cohesion at working level in the areas of human rights, political and democratic pluralism and political participation” so that the civil society becomes “a real force for positive change”. Action eligible for funding should meet thematic priorities such as: - the promotion of freedom of expression and the freedom of the media, and heightened responsibility and professional deontology on the part of journalists; - the promotion of parliamentary best practice by those representing the various parties in parliament and in the local and regional assemblies, and the training of parliamentary personnel. Other themes include the prevention of and fight against corruption, the promotion of measures to abolish the death penalty and the promotion of ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The promotion of political rights is one of the priorities of the advanced status already sealed with Morocco. In declarations taken up in the Moroccan press on 30 March, Eneko Landaburu, EU Ambassador to Rabat, pointed out that advanced status is a mark of confidence and encouragement for the political reforms and progress made by Morocco in good governance, respect of fundamental rights, and in the economic and social fields. Today, Morocco is working on objectives set out by the Statute, by adjusting its legislation to bring it into line with that of the EU, Landaburu added. (F.B./transl.jl)