Concerns About Morocco's Human Rights Record

Floor Speech

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Washington Post published an editorial entitled ``Morocco's royal crackdown.'' The editorial highlights the conduct of King Mohammed VI and raises serious concerns about human rights in the kingdom, particularly the jailing of a prominent Moroccan journalist. The editorial states, ``King Mohammed's regime is showing signs of returning to autocratic practices.''

An on-going pattern of human rights abuses by King Mohammed's security forces and secret police against voices for political reform, including self-determination for the occupied Western Sahara, are well documented by human rights organizations. According to Amnesty International, ``Pro-independence activists have been imprisoned following demonstrations calling for the right to self-determination for the people of the Western Sahara, and some have reportedly been tortured or otherwise ill-treated during questioning by Moroccan law enforcement officials.''

The Kingdom of Morocco is a U.S. ally and trading partner, yet earlier this year the Moroccans abruptly cancelled the 13th annual U.S.-Morocco joint military exercise called ``African Lion.'' This joint exercise involved 1,400 U.S. service members and 900 Moroccan troops. U.S. troops and equipment were already in place when the Kingdom of Morocco cancelled the maneuvers ``after the Obama administration backed having the U.N. monitor human rights in the disputed territory of Western Sahara (under Moroccan occupation)'' reported the Associated Press on April 16, 2013.

Obviously, King Mohammed VI and his kingdom's security apparatus have a human rights problem that is gaining the attention of the international community. It appears that human rights are not a matter that concerns them. The U.S.-Moroccan bilateral relationship must be based on a foundation of common values and that includes a fundamental respect for human rights. It is time for Congress to evaluate Morocco's human rights record and tell King Mohammed that the people of the U.S. expect more from him.

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