Brussels, 20/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - The EU-Morocco Association Council will be held in Brussels on Monday 23 July to discuss the political and economic situation on either side, direct trade issues and the EuroMed area. The meeting will also look at cooperation in the field of justice, security and the management of immigration, and the follow-up to last year's Rabat conference on African immigration. The meeting will provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss the prospects for extending EU-Morocco relations within the EU's Neighbourhood Policy, political dialogue on issues of common interest (human rights, Western Sahara, etc) and Morocco's demand for 'advanced status'.
Ahead of this debate on human rights, the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) and the EuroMediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) have sent an open letter to the Council and Commission drawing attention to the human rights situation in Morocco, noting that huge change has gradually come about over the past decade, partly through the contribution of the EU and its action plan. The associations want to see the plan's recommendations fully implemented. Despite progress, the national and international human rights organisations continue to express concern at the continuation of human rights violations, like the torture allegations in detention centres, violent suppression of demonstrations and attacks on freedom of speech, which demonstrate that the process of democratic opening remains 'fragile'. They also remind the EU of the direct impact of its restricted immigration policy which makes the EU indirectly responsible for the violations of human rights which immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees blocked in Morocco face in their search for protection or a better life in Europe. (fb)