Moroccan Ex-Minister Calls for Human Rights Ministry
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Mustapha Ramid, the former Moroccan Minister of State for Human Rights, has called for the creation of a dedicated ministry for human rights. He urged the incoming government, led by Prime Minister Fatima-Zahra Mansouri, to include this position to prevent a 'vacuum' in human rights within the government.
Ramid, in a Facebook post, highlighted that Morocco is classified as a 'hybrid democracy,' neither a full democracy nor a closed autocracy. He emphasized the need for increased efforts to advance democracy and human rights, aiming to transition the country to a full democracy.
He criticized the National Council on Human Rights, stating that despite its initiatives, it has shown 'relaxation and absence of effective human rights action,' and has 'shrunk' in its role to protect rights and freedoms.
Ramid noted that the current delegate ministry for human rights is limited to coordinating government sectors for periodic reports and engaging with international mechanisms, without a dedicated government official to advocate for human rights within the government.
He referenced Article 92 of the Constitution, which mandates the government, under the Prime Minister's leadership, to address current texts and issues related to human rights and public order. Ramid stressed the importance of invoking this constitutional provision during ongoing government formation consultations.
He argued that while the Minister of the Interior has the responsibility to protect public order, human rights deserve a minister with a high-ranking and respected position to ensure a balance between public order and human rights protection.
Ramid warned that the absence of a dedicated human rights minister, even if alongside another related government sector like the Ministry of Justice, could lead to the marginalization of human rights issues in government discussions and public policy-making.
He described government council discussions as often driven by a 'logic of the hat,' where each minister defends their sector, potentially overlooking human rights issues.
