MEPs vote to condemn Morocco for first time in 25 years

European lawmakers voted on Thursday to sentence Morocco for the primary time in 25 years, because it known as on the nation to respect media freedom and to launch all political prisoners and jailed journalists.

Within the decision, MEPs say that Rabat has unfairly imprisoned journalists for politically motivated causes, significantly within the case of Omar Radi, who criticised a Moroccan choose for jailing protesters.

The vote in Strasbourg comes because the North African state is embroiled in a corruption scandal that’s engulfing the European Parliament.

Qatar can also be implicated within the case, however each deny any wrongdoing.

A letter seen by Euronews from the Moroccan authorities to the Left Group within the European Parliament, exhibits they tried to persuade the group’s MEPs to not vote in favour of the decision, whereas additionally providing the chance to fulfill with a delegation of Moroccan officers this week within the French metropolis the place the Parliament sits as soon as a month to debate the matter.

Miguel Urbán Crespo, a Spanish MEP from the Left Group, mentioned it’s unbelievable that regardless of the circumstances, Morocco continues to be attempting to foyer members, even when it’s not formally in opposition to the foundations.

“Clearly it’s not unlawful, however it’s inappropriate. It’s ethically and politically reprehensible. It shouldn’t occur and even much less whereas this scandal is occurring,” Urbán Crespo informed Euronews.

He added: “And in the midst of this scandal it has been potential to, for the primary time in 25 years, to have this decision, but in addition in the midst of this scandal, the Moroccan authorities has determined to ship a delegation of deputies to the European Parliament to foyer in opposition to the decision that criticises Morocco. It by no means occurs {that a} nation sends a delegation when there’s an urgency [resolution].”

The Left was additionally vital of Thursday’s vote, which didn’t embody the identical measures utilized to Qatar. All work associated to the nation was suspended final month till there’s extra readability on the cash-for-favours investigation.

Parliamentarians urge Iran motion

MEPs additionally voted on different human rights points, calling on the EU to checklist Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation in a separate decision on Thursday.

The vote doesn’t require member states to behave, however places stress on them forward of an EU international affairs ministers assembly subsequent Monday, the place additional sanctions on Tehran may very well be introduced.  

The nation has been supplying drones to Russia to be used in opposition to Ukraine, in addition to violently placing down peaceable protests sparked by the loss of life of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

MEPs additionally known as on Tehran to finish its crackdown on their very own individuals, condemning the executions of demonstrators.

Hannah Neumann, a German Inexperienced MEP, informed Euronews that the vote is about sending a robust message to the Islamic Republic.

“We wished to ship a really clear, sturdy and united sign to the Iran regime that this actually bought out of hand, and that we expect they’re behaving as terrorists by terrorising their residents and the entire area,” she mentioned.

The vote additionally requires the EU so as to add Iran’s Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi to its sanctions checklist.