Morocco: Capital Punishment On Its Way Out

Within the next few months, a bill to abolish capital punishment will be presented to parliament in Morocco. Deputy of the opposition party Le Front des Forces Democratiques (FFD) Bouchra Khiari, is at the forefront of the movement. Other than her group, Khiari anticipates the endorsement of parties such as the Le Parti du Progres et du Socialisme (PPS).

A member of the central committee of PPS, Malika Oulialy, said: "The issue concerns the whole Moroccan society and the whole process of democratisation in the country." She added, "Abolition (of capital punishment) goes in the same way with building a democratic society which respects freedom and rights."

Ahmed Kouza, of Amnesty International, pointed out why capital punishment has no place in today's Morocco: "In the past, the death penalty used to be inflicted on political opponents." Human rights groups estimate that 528 persons were killed during the reign of King Hassan II, in judicial and extra-judicial executions.

Resistance to the project is expected from some Islamist groups, who believe that Shari'a law dictates that capital punishment be used in crimes such as murder and adultery. "I think that Islamists will oppose the project of death penalty abolition because such an opposition suits completely with their ideological fundamentals," Oulialy said.

However, Oulialy-- who is Muslim-- noted: "Islam has prohibited killing. Therefore, there is no contradiction between Islam and a human rights culture."

If the abolition of the death penalty is adopted by parliament, Morocco will be a leader among North African states and the Arab Muslim world.

-- Alison, No Death Penalty Wisconsin

posted by Sachin @ 12:58 PM