Protesters in Morocco demand release of political prisoners

Sun Feb 12, 2012

People in Morocco have once again taken to streets to protest against government policies, calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners.

The demonstrators held the rally in Casablanca, the North African country’s largest city, and demanded that the government stop arresting rights activists on false pretexts.

The Moroccan government has charged the detainees with "sabotage."

Activists say hundreds of their colleagues have been arrested since early last year as part of a crackdown on the organizers of anti-government protests.

The pro-reform and anti-corruption demonstrations in Morocco have continued since February 2011 despite the introduction of a number of reforms by King Mohammed VI and approved in a referendum in July, 2011. Moroccans say the reforms are not sufficient since the king still retains key powers and remains the head of the military.

The protest rallies exerted growing pressure on the US-backed ruler to amend the constitution and give more powers to the country's parliament and the prime minister.

The protesters also say the November 25 parliamentary elections failed to display true democratic reforms and that the US-backed ruling monarchy is not committed to real change.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/226267.html.