High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell attends a news conference after Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine, in Brussels, Belgium, February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
Strasbourg, France 鈥斅燭he European Parliament on Thursday condemned what it described as a decline in press freedom in Morocco, saying it was 鈥渃oncerned鈥� by corruption allegations against Rabat.
A corruption scandal involving European Parliament members that erupted last month sent shockwaves through EU circles in Brussels, with MEPs accused of taking bribes from Morocco and Qatar.
Both countries vehemently deny the accusations.
In a non-binding text adopted on Thursday, MEPs urged Morocco to 鈥渞espect freedom of expression and media freedom鈥� and to 鈥済uarantee imprisoned journalists鈥� a fair trial鈥�.
Two of the most prominent cases in Morocco are those of Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni, both sentenced on appeal last year on sexual abuse charges.
Radi鈥檚 father told AFP on Thursday that the vote 鈥渃onfirms that these are attacks against journalists aimed at silencing them鈥�.
Driss Radi, who is also a member of a committee to support the detainees, reiterated 鈥渙ur call to release journalists and social activists and guarantee them the right to fair trials, of which they have been deprived鈥�.
MEPs said Radi鈥檚 right to a proper defense had not been respected, saying the trial had been 鈥渦nfair and biased鈥�.
They called for an 鈥渆nd to harassment of journalists in the country鈥�.
鈥榊ears of passivity鈥�
An 鈥渁uthorized source鈥� at the foreign ministry in Rabat, quoted by a media outlet close to the government, said the EU parliament resolution would have 鈥渘o impact on Morocco鈥� which will not be frightened or intimidated.
鈥淭his resolution fits with the aggressions and harassments sustained by the kingdom from those disturbed by Morocco鈥檚 development, prosperity and strong role in the region,鈥� the source added.
The European Union鈥檚 top diplomat Josep Borrell earlier this month visited Morocco, where Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said the country was facing 鈥渞epeated media attacks鈥� and vowed to 鈥渄efend the partnership鈥� with the EU.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed the EU Parliament vote as a break with 鈥�25 years of passivity鈥�.
鈥淭he European Parliament has put an end to an annoying tendency to exempt Morocco from any comment on its attacks on freedom of the press and human rights,鈥� it said in a statement.
Morocco ranks 135th out of 180 countries on the group鈥檚 2022 World Press Freedom Index.
Human Rights Watch last year also denounced Rabat鈥檚 鈥渢echniques of repression鈥�.
Moroccan authorities insist the judiciary is independent and that the cases against journalists have nothing to do with journalism.
The Parliament also said it was 鈥渄eeply concerned鈥� by allegations that Moroccan authorities had bribed its members and reaffirmed its commitment to 鈥渇ully investigating鈥� corruption.