Morocco’s jailed journalists deserve the Biden administration’s attention

4 May 2021
Share this story

Opinion by the Editorial Board

ONE OF the more awkward foreign policy problems inherited by the Biden administration is President Donald Trump’s reckless recognition in December of Morocco’s claim to the disputed territory of Western Sahara. The move reversed long-standing U.S. policy and placed Washington at odds with European allies, African nations and U.N. resolutions. Mr. Trump acted not on the merits of the issue, but as part of a deal to induce Morocco to upgrade its relations with Israel. It was an unjust and unnecessary reward for a regime that, under King Mohammed VI, has grown increasingly autocratic.

With many foreign challenges to juggle, the new administration unsurprisingly has been slow to clarify whether it will confirm the Trump position or reverse it, as it has been urged to do by 25 senators. Before it decides, it ought to engage with the regime about its human rights record — and, in particular, its assault on freedom of expression. A number of Moroccan journalists and human rights activists have been prosecuted for criticizing the king or exposing corruption, and two particularly prominent journalists are now more than three weeks into hunger strikes that could have tragic results.

Both Soulaiman Raissouni, the editor of the newspaper Akhbar Al-Youm, and Omar Radi, an award-winning investigative reporter, have been imprisoned without trial since last year. Mr. Raissouni, known for his criticism of government corruption and advocacy of political reform, was arrested on May 22, 2020; Mr. Radi, who also has written on corruption and served as a correspondent for international media, was detained on July 29. Mr. Radi was first charged with espionage, based on his contacts with Western diplomats and work for a British consulting firm. According to an investigation by Human Rights Watch, there is “no evidence that Radi did anything besides conduct ordinary journalistic or corporate due diligence work and maintain contact with diplomats, as many journalists and researchers do routinely.”

(C) The Washington Post

Last Posts

Leader of Opposition Hon. Dumelang Saleshando whose Botswana Congress Party (BCP) boasts 15 MPs in the 13th Parliament

 A Response to the State of the Nation Address

Share this story

Share this storyBy Hon Dumelang Saleshando Leader of Opposition 21 November 2024 Title: We have crossed the Rubicon: Now what awaits us? A new or old Botswana Mr. Speaker, your Honour the Vice President and…

4 May 2021

State of the Nation Address to the First Meeting of the First Session of the 13th Parliament

Share this story

Share this storyBy Advocate Duma Gideon Boko President of the Republic of Botswana 19th November 2024 Theme: Transforming Botswana for inclusive growth May their souls rest in peace and in their memory, let us forge…

4 May 2021

HB invests 137 Million Pula in Botswana, fuelling the nation’s rise as a diamond powerhouse

Share this story

Share this storyEighteen (18) months after launch, HB is advancing HB Botswana’s processing capacity with a transformative new 137 million Pula investment. This commitment will expand HB’s processing capacity and create hundreds of high-quality jobs,…

4 May 2021

Elephant over-population causes massive destruction of trees, poor food and water supply for all the wildlife_

U.S. Appeals Court’s decision on ivory, Rhino horn sales may signal reopening of international trade

Share this story

Share this story By Emmanuel Koro  Johannesburg,  19 November 2024 In a significant development for a return to a reasonable approach to trade in ivory and rhino horn products,  the U.S. Second Court of Appeals has…

4 May 2021

India in top 10 globally for patents, trademarks and industrial designs

Share this story

Share this storyIndia now ranks among the top 10 countries globally in the number of patents, trademarks and industrial design applications, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) 2024 report on IP trends. The…

4 May 2021

Irina Abramova (Moderator), Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug (Mauritania FM), Sergey Lavrov (Russia FM) and Dr Monque Nsanzabanganwa (African Union Commission) - Pic (TPA)

Russia has never been involved in the exploitation of African peoples – Sergey Lavrov

Share this story

Share this storyThe Pan Afrikanist Watchman At the close of the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum on November 10th 2024 in the Sirius Federal Territory, Sochi, Russia’s veteran Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov…

4 May 2021

Related Stories