EP Plenary: Situation of human rights in Morocco

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EP Plenary: Situation of human rights in Morocco

18.01.2023 EEAS Press Team

Speech delivered by Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, on behalf of High-Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell

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Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms underpins the strong and strategic partnership the European Union has built with Morocco over time, and which we are committed to develop even further.

The European Union and Morocco have put in place a trustworthy and open dialogue. Human rights features regularly on the agenda of our discussions and we do not shy to express our concerns to the Moroccan partners.

In particular, freedom of expression, media freedom and the protection of journalists and human rights defenders are areas where we express concern to our Moroccan partners whenever appropriate. This was also the case, most recently, during the visit of the High Representative [for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep] Borrell to Rabat on 5 and 6 January, where the point was raised with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates [Nasser] Bourita. As the High Representative stressed in his press conference: "The EU-Morocco partnership is based on values. We attach great importance to the protection of fundamental rights, human rights defenders, fundamental rights such as freedom of the press and freedom of expression, and we work together with Morocco on these subjects."

The work of national and international non-governmental organisations (NGO) remains therefore of critical importance to assess the situation on the ground in these areas. And the European Union takes good note of the fact that some NGOs continue to report that more needs to be done to create an enabling environment for the full exercise of freedom of expression. We also pay special attention to the need to ensure full respect for due process guaranteed for all.

Specific institutional fora are the most appropriate framework to raise, in a spirit of constructive criticism and further improvements, the situation of human rights in Morocco. We have created, under the framework of the EU-Morocco Association Agreement, a Subcommittee on Democracy and Human Rights, which meets regularly. We discuss the principles but, when relevant and useful, we do not refrain from referring to individual cases. This structures and completes our continuous engagement both in Brussels and in Rabat, through our EU Delegation to Morocco, with civil society organisations, human rights defenders and relevant international actors to promote and consolidate the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Morocco's membership in the UN Human Rights Council, in January this year, will provide additional opportunities to explore areas of joint cooperation in this field.

Let me conclude by reiterating the EU commitment, in Morocco as everywhere in the world, to media freedom and the protection of journalists, in compliance with international human rights obligations.

We will continue our efforts to ensure that all citizens can benefit from the rights guaranteed by their Constitution and the full respect and implementation of the laws.

Thank you.

Link to the video (from 20:45): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-235669