Morocco may abolish death penalty

By Richard Hamilton
BBC News, Rabat

The Casablanca attacks in 2003 changed the political climate

Several human rights group are calling on Morocco to change its penal code and become the first Arab nation to abolish the death penalty.

Morocco has not used the death penalty since 1994. There is a sense the nation is now ready to make an historic move.

Last month two Moroccans were sentenced to death for terrorism offences.

Only about 40 people have been executed in Morocco since independence - mostly for taking part in coup attempts against the former King Hassan II.

We think Morocco is the most improved country Michel Taube

"In all the world, year after year there are countries that abolish the death penalty," said Michel Taube from the rights coalition, Together against the Death Penalty.

"Unfortunately - in the Arab world - no country has done this. But we see positive evolution in some and we think Morocco is the most improved country," he told journalists in Rabat.

"The abolition is possible today because civil society is very active and it is a paradox but this activism began after the Casablanca terrorist attacks in 2003. And today a lot of political parties are asking for the abolition," he explained.

Tuesday's news conference in Rabat comes just before a worldwide conference on the death penalty which is due to be held in Paris next week.

The organisers have made a point of only visiting Morocco because they think it is most ripe for change.

The Moroccan Justice Minister will be attending the Paris conference so there is a sense of expectation in Morocco that another big chapter in the country's reform programme is about to open.