Morocco aims to outlaw torture
2004-07-21 20:02
Rabat - The Moroccan justice ministry said on Wednesday it had prepared draft legislation penalising torture.
Morocco wanted to align its legislation with human rights and international conventions which the country supported, the ministry said in a communique.
Moroccan legislation has hitherto lacked an explicit definition and penalisation of torture as such.
Human rights groups have stepped up pressure on the government while complaints about torture have increased since the 2003 suicide bombings in Casablanca, which led to the detention of more than 2 000 people.
Torture is fairly common at Moroccan police stations, where detainees are beaten to extract confessions and information, according to observers in Rabat. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA