13/03/2008
US ambassador to Morocco Thomas T. Riley praised the transparency in Morocco's 2007 election, MAP reported on Wednesday (March 12th). In presenting the US State Department's annual report on human rights practices around the world on Tuesday, Riley said Morocco guaranteed the transparency and fairness of the election process by allowing international and national observers to monitor September's parliamentary polls. He added that the country has made serious progress protecting human rights and voiced optimism that the long-awaited Press Code would boost freedom of speech in the country. Riley noted that this is the second year in which Morocco has received a positive assessment from the US State Department. "In Morocco, we notice that there is progress and will to promote democratic change and respect of human rights, but the country still faces challenges in its commitment to carry on the path of reform," MAP quoted the ambassador as saying.