August 29 2017
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement in which he expressed his serious concerns over the the current situation in Morocco due to continuing social unrest in the country, the functions of state of institutions and the deterioration of the human rights situation.
I have concerns regarding the state of democratic institutions and human rights in Morocco. Citizens are not fully protect. with respect to expressing themselves, independent media outlets are significantly restricted, and members of the opposition are often unjustly targeted for their political beliefs..
said the US senator who was nominated by the Democratic Party for vice president of the United States during the last election.[ads1]Senator Kaine also touched on his statement on the way the Moroccan authorities dealt with the ongoing protests in Rif region, he said “In the past several months, tens of thousands of Moroccans joined protests calling for economic opportunity, politic. rights, and an end to corruption. In response, the government has arrested over 100 leaders of the protest movement”. Senator Kaine added ” I am very concerned about these developments and strongly support the right of all people to peacefully express their grievances” .
At the end of his statement, the US official said that he will continue to monitor developments in Morocco, strengthen historical ties between the two countries and support efforts to promote and protect the human dignity of all Moroccans.
Despite the strong criticism of the American politician, he praised the various partnerships between Washington and Rabat, indicating that between 2005 and 2015, trades moved from $ 927 million to $ 2.62 billion.
He also praised Morocco’s counter-terrorism effort, and its support for a peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, as well as its embrace of the “African Lion” military maneuvers involving more than 1,000 Americans troops.
[toggle title=”Full Statement” state=”open”]August 23, 2017
Thank you for contacting me about Morocco. I appreciate hearing from you.
The United States and Morocco share a long and important politic., economic, and security relationship. Between 2005 and 2015, annual trade between the U.S. and Morocco more than doubled, from $927 million to S2.62 billion. Morocco has been a reliable partner in countering Islamist extremism and supporting a peaceful settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Over 1,000 U.S. personnel participate in African Lion, an annual flagship bilateral military exerci. held in Morocco, and smaller bilateral exercises are held regularly.
In 2014, I led a delegation to Morocco where I met with several Moroccan officials, including then-Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, as well as civil society leaders and entrepreneurs. I have concerns regarding the state of democratic institutions and human rights in Morocco. Citizens are not fully protect. with respect to expressing themselves, independent media outlets are significantly restricted, and members of the opposition are often unjustly targeted for their political beliefs.
I am .so concern. about the centralization of power and lack of independence of the judicial system. In the past several months, tens of thousands of Moroccans joined protests calling for economic opportunity, politic. rights, and an end to corruption. In response, the government has arrested over 100 leaders of the protest movement. Human rights groups, like Amnesty International, allege that the Moroccan government tortures protesters and denies them due process. Morocco’s King Mohammed VII recently pardoned some of the protesters detained by the government, but tensions remain.
I am very concerned about these developments and strongly support the right of all people to peacefully express their grievances. I continue to believe that the U.S. has an important role to play in the world to advance freedom, democracy and human rights. That’s why I strongly oppose the Trump Administration’s proposed budget cuts to the State Department and foreign assistance.
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counter-terrorism, I will continue to monitor developments in Morocco, promote our long-standing ties, and support efforts that promote and protect the human dignity of all people. Thank you again for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Tim Kaine
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