Interview with the President of the Moroccan Centre for Human Rights

04/09/2007

Moroccan Centre for Human Rights President Khalid Cherkaoui Semmouni discusses the Centre’s decision to independently monitor the September 7th elections, his thoughts on the U.S.'s National Democratic Institute's participation in the monitoring effort and the participation of Islamic parties in politics.

Interview by Naoufel Dekkaki for Magharebia in Rabat – 04/09/2007

[Naoufel Dekkaki] President of the Moroccan Centre for Human Rights, Khalid Cherkaoui Semmouni.

Khalid Cherkaoui Semmouni, President of the Moroccan Centre for Human Rights spoke to Magharebia recently about his group's decision to provide election monitoring independent of the national network already established for the purpose.

Magharebia: Why did the Centre decide to monitor the elections separately, apart from the network of associations?

Khalid Cherkaoui Semmouni: Because the network was established in the absence of the Centre, and set down its methodology and programme for observing the elections without involving the Centre. Although it asked us belatedly to join the network, we rejected the proposal due to our opposition to joining a body we did not take part in establishing or in formulating its vision. Further, the network has funding that will be dispensed by one party, and the Centre will not have a part in the financial management. Thus, if there were wrongdoing in that management, we could bear responsibility for an act we were not party to, especially since the network handles a very significant monetary sum.

We hope the network will be independent, but it is co-ordinating with the Consultative Council for Human Rights, which is considered a non-independent, quasi-governmental entity. Thus, to ensure neutrality and objectivity, the Centre decided to work alone, in co-operation with its branches. This is an important matter, since we did not receive any funding and will not request any. Members of the Centre’s branches have in fact commenced their work, and have recorded a number of violations related to the elections that we will work to publish in a report we are presenting at a press conference at a subsequent time.

Magharebia: What mechanisms will you rely on in the area of elections monitoring? Semmouni: The issue is simple. Members of the centre’s branches will accompany the election campaigns and will request to be present at some voting offices. We hope the Ministry of Interior will allow it.

Magharebia: Then your entering the voting offices is something not yet settled, and hinges on a Ministry of Interior decision?

Semmouni: The Ministry set co-ordination with the Consultative Council for Human Rights as a condition for our monitoring the elections, something we rejected in the absence of any law requiring it. We are a civil, independent entity, and as stated in the royal speech on Throne Day, July 30th, civil entities are called upon to join in combating elections corruption. Moreover, the Centre, like the rest of the rights bodies, is at the forefront in monitoring the elections, since this field falls within its mandate. We are still concerned over the possibility of not being permitted to enter the polling stations. In that case, we would record the fact in the aforementioned report, which would constitute a negative point against the Ministry of Interior. If the Ministry has a genuine wish for free and fair elections, it must allow civil society to fulfil its role. And we feel it is impossible for the Consultative Council for Human Rights to be an official mouthpiece for civil society.

Magharebia: Why did you oppose participation by the US Democratic Institute in the process of monitoring the coming elections?

Semmouni: I place responsibility on the President of the Consultative Council for Human Rights, Ahmed Herzenni, as he played a major role in the acceptance of the American institute’s participation. As Moroccans, we are at the forefront in monitoring the elections and we have the capacity to stop the various violations and evaluate them in an objective manner. Thus, we do not need an institute such as this. Indeed, the voting offices are not only in the major cities, but are even in the remote areas. Meanwhile, we know that half of Morocco’s population is located in rural areas that are difficult for the American institute to cover in a complete way. I also think we will be more effective, thanks to our branches being located in the cities and the villages.

Magharebia: How realistic are the platforms of the political parties for the coming elections?

Semmouni: There are good platforms, but the problem is related to their implementation. And this is a matter connected to the extent of the party’s commitment to its platform if it participates in forming a government. In addition to that, there is a legal issue raising questions about the extent of the government’s commitment to its platform and whether it is answerable for it before the Parliament, and then whether the Parliament is strong [enough] in the first place to hold the government accountable. The issue is complicated and explaining it is lengthy.

Magharebia: What is your position on the participation of Islamic parties in political activity, when the President of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights said the Party for Justice and Development constitutes a threat to freedom?

Semmouni: Whatever the parties' backgrounds, the most important thing is the necessity of their faith in democracy and difference. However, you find discrepancies between discourse and practice, especially with the PJD as it risked its general trustworthiness in making undemocratic decisions in its process of candidate selection.