Oslo, March 11, 2013 (SPS) - The Norwegian MP Ms. Karin S. Woldseth, Progress Party and Second Vice-Chairperson of the European Democrat Group in the Council of Europe has announced that she boycotted meetings of the Council of Europe held in Rabat, Morocco, on March and April 2013, as a sign of protest to the unjust trial against Gdeim Izik detainees and the lack of progress in addressing the issue of human rights in Morocco.
Ms. Woldseth announced her decision in written questions addressed to the Foreign Minister of her country regarding the position of Norway on the martial court of Gdeim Izik prisoners, and its contribution to influence Morocco to ensure the rule of law and human rights in Western Sahara.
“A couple of weeks ago, 24 activists from Western Sahara convicted in a military court. 9 of them were life-long and the other between 20 and 30 years in prison,” stated the letter.
The Norwegian MP added that this shows that Morocco “still does not follow the European standards in terms of rule of law and human rights, despite the fact that they are observers to the Council with the right to speak.”
“Both the political committee and the legal committee of the Council of Europe should have had meetings in Rabat, Morocco in March and April 2013, but I have sent a letter to the President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, where I explain that I find it improper in view of the recent developments in Morocco, to attend meetings in a country that does not follow the standards of an institution they would like to be a part of,” she indicated.
“Will the Foreign Minister do something to influence Morocco, so that activists from Western Sahara can get a fair trial, and that contributes to the rule of law and human rights are upheld?,” she concluded. (SPS)
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