Newest Moroccan reparations initiative supports capacity building projects
2009-05-07
The Moroccan Human Rights Advisory Council signed the latest agreement with the government to implement the IER's community-building recommendations.
By Siham Ali for Magharebia in Rabat – 07/05/09
 [File] Moroccan Communication Minister Khalid Naciri affirms the government's support for the IER’s community reparation programme. |
Morocco began this week to implement another of the 2006 recommendations from the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) regarding reparations to victims of repression during the Années de Plomb (Years of Lead) under Hassan II.
The IER felt that in addition to the monetary compensation due to the victims of serious human rights breaches, reparation should also have a community dimension. To pursue this local assistance initiative, the Moroccan Human Rights Advisory Council (CCDH) and the ministry of social development, family, and solidarity signed the latest accord on Tuesday (May 5th) in Rabat.
The agreement seeks to provide support for social welfare programmes to help women, children, disabled people, and the elderly. The programmes will contribute to restoring NGO networks and build the capacity of local actors.
"We are proud to be contributing, alongside the CCDH, to the implementation of the IER's recommendations regarding redress for damage caused to communities, and efforts to ensure that what happened will not be forgotten", commented Minister of Social Development Nouzha Skelli.
The first wave of projects, costing a total of 12.2m dirhams, began April 1st. Eight provinces that suffered during the so-called Years of Lead were targeted: Ouarzazate, Errachidia, Zagora, Figuig, Nador, Al Hoceima, Casablanca-Hay Mohammadi and Khenifra.
A total of 33 projects were chosen from 90 proposals. Funding will be allocated to build the capacity of local actors, promote human rights, and ensure that the mistakes of the past will not be forgotten or repeated.
CCDH President Ahmed Hrezni stated that in addition to encouraging economic development, some of these projects are also aimed at restoring memorial sites and setting up offices to gather data on the period during which these human rights violations occurred.
For instance, one of the projects chosen will involve the making of a documentary on the events that occurred in Nador in January 1984, when low-key student protests ended in a bloodbath following a heavy-handed police crackdown.
"These events must be inculcated into people's minds and must serve as a warning for the future," explained the president of Nador-based NGO Ilmass, Said Moussaoui.
Minister of Communication Khalid Naciri confirmed that the government is committed to providing support for reconciliation schemes. He believes that the community reparation programme will strengthen democracy and boost efforts to foster a culture of human rights.
People living in the regions concerned have welcomed the initiative.
"The Rif region was hit very hard. I hope that the projects that will soon be implemented as part of the community reparation scheme will help reinforce people's sense of citizenship and help promote reconciliation and justice," said Jamal Bouyidi, a worker who lives in El Hoceima.
Ahmed Ichir, a teacher who lives in Ouarzazate, stated that his region had been neglected and that it was high time that economic development projects were launched to build the capacities of local actors and raise living standards.
King Mohammed VI established the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) in 2004 to rehabilitate victims of human rights abuses during the 1961-1999 rule of his late father, King Hassan II.
The Commission's self-defined mandate is to "support the democratic transition of the country, to build the rule of law, and to spread the values and culture of citizenship and human rights".
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faissalon Posted 2009-05-08
We all know pretty well that the whole world has entered since the mid 1980's and to now deep political, cultural, and social changes which imposed on regimes and governments to reconsider their policies. Morocco is one of these countries which substituted the Years of Lead with other years which can be described as years of marginalization and exclusion. So will this category be substituted in future? (This is just a question).
Rifain Posted 2009-05-10
Talk, talk, talk – that is what their real project is.
عبدالسلام نوالى Posted 2009-05-28
We belong to the state of right and law. From this platform, we thank you for this unprecedented initiative. However, in spite of these huge efforts, we still face isolation especially because we are in a rural area in addition to marginalization and unemployment. In an attempt to change our conditions, we gathered within an association. It is Sondage Association for development, culture, sport and solidarity in the commune of Beni Kil, Bouarfa, province of Feguig. Despite of all this, we are proud of our Moroccanness. Therefore, we ask you for your help by contributing to the success of some projects which will develop the region. Finally, we reiterate thanks and allegiance to his majesty the king, God assist him, who gave everyone his rights. On behalf of the sub-secretary of the association.
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