ROYAL PARDON TO SEVERAL DETAINEES IN RESPONSE TO A MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY CNDH

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) held on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at its headquarters in Rabat, a press briefing on the royal pardon granted to 190 detainees in response to a memorandum submitted to His Majesty the King by the Council’s President and Secretary General.

In this respect, 5 prisoners had their death sentences commuted to prison terms, 37 had their life sentences commuted to prison terms, 52 had their prison sentences reduced and 96 benefited from a pardon over their remaining prison terms.

Mr. Mustapha Mouatassim, Mr. Mohammed Marouani, Mr. Mohammed Amine Regala, Mr. Alaa Badelle Maa El- Ainin and Mr. Abdelhafid Sriti attended the said press briefing. They came directly to the Council after their release from prison.

Speaking on this occasion, CNDH President Driss El Yazami expressed his deep satisfaction, saying that this decision is undeniably an important step towards the strengthening of democracy and human rights in Morocco.

For his part, CNDH Secretary General Mr. Mohamed Essabbar said that April 14 is a landmark date for the Council, the process of democracy and human rights. This decision is part of the measures undertaken to promote Morocco's political détente and confidence-building, he added. He recalled that Morocco has started several important projects and reforms, including the reform of the constitution.

Mr. Essabar clarified that the royal decision stems from a strong willingness to promote the values of human rights, to establish the rule of law and to entrench the culture of justice and equity.

He asserted that the Council will examine cases where there are proven evidence of unfair trial conditions.

Mr. Mustapha Mouatassim, on behalf of the present released prisoners, expressed his appreciation to all those who supported their case. He thanked the National Human Rights Council for its efforts, adding that he believes the Council will spare no effort to defend the victims of injustice.

The list of the cases concerned:

Commutation of death sentence to prison term

• number of cases: 5

• penalty after commutation: 15 to 30 years

Commutation of life imprisonments to prison terms

• number of cases: 37

• penalties after commutation: 15 to 20 years

Reduction of prison term

• number of cases: 53

• penalties after reduction: 4 to 8 years
- 4 years: 8 cases
- 5 years: 28 cases
- 8 years: 17 cases

Pardon over remaining prison terms

• number of cases: 95

• sentences ranged from 6 months to 30 years
- 8 months: one case
- 1 year: one case
- 2 years: 6 cases
- 3 years: 14 cases
- 4 years: 6 cases
- 5 years: 13 cases
- 6 years: 3 cases
- 7 years: one case
- 8 years: 34 cases
- 9 years: one case
- 10 years: 12 cases
- 30 years: 2 cases