Morocco,perfect model for democracy in the M.E?

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Democracy
Morocco, model in the Middle East, US paper

Morocco TIMES 3/7/2006 | 11:40 am


The Washington Post's associate editor, Jim Hoagland, said in an article, published Sunday, that King Mohammed VI “has unleashed the most sweeping peaceful political and social reforms of this decade in the Arab world”.




Jim Hoagland, the Washington Post's associate editor, hailed Morocco's reforms in the human rights field. Ph: Archives.

The associate chief editor of the US paper said that the Monarch's reforms contributed to a radical change in terms of human rights and social field.

The Kingdom was described as being the most open and most tolerant in a “turbulent part of the world.”

Stressing the king's appointment of Driss Benzekri, formerly emprisoned for opposing late King Hassan II, to preside the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER), the journalist hailed the Moroccan Monarch for this initiative, which shows that even the king wants to turn the page of the past and head for a future full of tolerance and understanding.

The King's reforms related to human rights and the family code contribute to the democratization of the country.

Hoagland hailed the IER experience which made the country a model in promoting democracy in the Middle East.

The journalist recalled the peaceful sit-in, in Rabat in February to demonstrate against the Danish paper's publication of cartoons satirizing Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), saying that “no Danish flags were burned, no placards threatening death brandished by the good-natured marchers I saw.”

He stressed “it was a protest à la Marocaine: organised by the government and friendly trade unions and political parties to preempt more radical groups from seizing the issue.”

Compared with other governments, which stirred up protests over the cartoons and encouraged violent demonstrations, the Kingdom, according to the journalist, proved its commitment to democracy.

“We are the people of the edge, always worried that we may fall into the seas of obscurity if we are not careful,” said Hoagland, quoting Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohammed Benaissa.

The Moroccan Minister stressed “Moroccans understand that democracy is cohabitation, living together in peace