Moroccan Center Calls for Continuation of Justice and Reconciliation Recommendations

The Moroccan Center for Memory and Democracy has urged the newly appointed government to complete the implementation of the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission. The call came after a regular meeting held by the center's executive bureau in Tangier, coinciding with a tribute to Dr. Mohamed Nashnash, a founding member and vice president of the center, and a member of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission.

The center emphasized the need for the new government to prioritize the protection of human rights and freedoms, and to make it a real commitment in public policies. The meeting also focused on preparing for the fifteenth edition of the International Festival of Shared Memory Cinema, the ninth edition of the International Award “Memory for Democracy and Peace,” and the first edition of the Youth Circle for Peace. Additionally, the meeting discussed recent developments in the national political situation and the center's role in defending democracy, human rights, peace, and fair coexistence.

The center congratulated the new government, led by Prime Minister Fatima Zahra Mansouri, and expressed hope that its work will renew trust and deepen democratic reform, responding to citizens' aspirations for freedom, dignity, social and community justice. The center also highlighted the royal message delivered on December 6, 2024, to participants in the international debate organized on the twentieth anniversary of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission. The message emphasized the connection between Morocco's transitional justice experience and constitutional, legislative, and institutional reforms, as well as the establishment of a state based on law and justice.

In this context, the center called on the government to include the completion of the implementation of the commission's recommendations and the preservation of the spirit of transitional justice in its program. This should be done through practical measures, announced deadlines, and mechanisms for monitoring and accountability. The center believes that the reformist and legal references invoked by the participating forces in the government place it under the responsibility of translating them into practices that expand the scope of freedoms and enhance justice, trust, and social cohesion.

The center also emphasized the need to release social movement detainees, urging the government to create a political and legal environment conducive to dialogue. This includes releasing all detainees arrested for peaceful expression and protest, and opening a dialogue that addresses social demands and protects the right to participate and dissent. The center considers this step a gateway to renewing trust and strengthening the conditions for engagement in reform.

Context/Background: Morocco's transitional justice process, initiated by the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, has been a significant step towards addressing past human rights abuses and promoting democratic reforms. The call by the Moroccan Center for Memory and Democracy highlights the ongoing importance of these efforts in ensuring a just and equitable society, and the need for continued government commitment to human rights and democratic principles. The center's call to release social movement detainees and foster a dialogue-oriented environment underscores the broader implications for social cohesion and democratic development in Morocco.