The Moroccan authorities have expressed their categorical rejection of the position of «Human Rights Watch» and «Amnesty International» regarding the verdict on the dissolution of the «Racines» association, considering that this position is an abusive interference in justice affairs. The Inter-ministerial Human Rights Delegation expressed, in a statement, its astonishment at the joint statement by the two organizations concerning the verdict by the Casablanca Court of First Instance dated 26 December 2018, ordering the dissolution of the said association. This joint statement contained unjustified assessments and general conclusions without any admissible evidence and revealing indicators, the delegation underlined, adding that the right to resort to justice and have a fair trial are guaranteed to all citizens in accordance with international standards, the Constitution and the relevant national laws. The delegation noted that the Moroccan authorities stressed relevance of the decision by the public Prosecutor's Office, which has chosen civil justice over repressive justice in dealing with acts and facts that are crimes, punishable under national law and which relied on the verdict to dissolve the association concerned. The Moroccan authorities, added the statement, said that the position of the two mentioned organizations is against international rules and regulations governing the creation of associations, in particular Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which provides that the exercise of the right of association may be restricted by law «in the interest of national security, public safety, public order, or to protect public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others».
