King Mohammed VI declares Morocco a constitutional monarchy

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King Mohammed VI declares Morocco a constitutional monarchy
by Darius Kadivar
17-Jun-2011
 

RABAT, Morocco — Moroccan King Mohammed VI announced a series of constitutional reforms in a speech Friday night that he said will turn the North African country into a constitutional monarchy, though pro-democracy activists remain skeptical. (Read Translation of Full Speech Here)

AL JAZEERA - Morocco constitutional reforms:

King Mohammed VI proposes constitutional changes that will whittle down his powers, but keep his role as power-broker.

Genuine or Cosmetic Change ? Interview with Ahmed Benchemsi about Morocco reforms:

Al Jazeera speaks to Ahmed Benchemsi, a Moroccan journalist, about the proposed reforms in Morocco.

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THE KING’s SPEECH

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Morocco's King Mohammed VI has announced proposals for constitutional amendments in a landmark speech.(bbc)

The king said the proposals would entrench democratic institutions, protect human rights, and guarantee freedom of expression.

They would also give the prime minister and parliament more executive powers and make Berber an official language in Morocco, alongside Arabic.

"We have managed, three months after having launched a constitutional revision process, to develop a new democratic constitutional charter," he said in a televised address to the nation.

The proposals will be put to a referendum on 1 July.

The king promised in March to introduce "comprehensive constitutional reform" after anti-government protests inspired by those elsewhere in the region.

Despite the pledge, thousands of pro-democracy protesters have continued to hold demonstrations.

Many activists have been sceptical about the king's promises of change, saying Morocco's 400-year-old monarchy has a long history of enacting superficial reforms.

The proposals were drawn up by a reform panel appointed by King Mohammed.

Morocco has been facing severe economic challenges with high unemployment and rising levels of poverty.

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PARTING FROM FATHER’s ABSOLUTISM

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Queen Elizabeth is humiliated during her State visit to Morocco by King Hassan’s behavior:

Queen Elizabeth's visit to Morocco in 1980 and the unpredictable King Hassan II. From the William Shawcross documentary "Queen & Country" (2002)

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A KINGDOM AT CROSSROADS

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AL JAZEERA Inside Story: Morocco reforms, too little too late? (First airedon Apr 26, 2011):

Observers do not believe Morocco will be another Egypt,Tunisia or Libya. But demonstrations are growing, and the next few months couldbe crucial for the country's future. 

Inside Story presenter Emike Umoludiscusses with guests: Lahcen Haddad, professor at Mohamed the Fifth Universityin Rabat; Stefan Simanowitz, a journalist specialising on North Africa; andHilana Rizki, a member of the February 20 protest movement.

This episode ofInside Story aired on Monday, April 25, 2011

Fearing Wave of Unrest, Morocco's King Proposes Constitutional Changes (PBS from Mar 23, 2011):

Ray Suarez reports on the North African nation of Morocco, where the country's king is attempting to stave off protests with a series of constitutional reforms.

euronews - Interview: Moroccan Royal aide, AndréAzoulay :

André Azoulay is the archetypal princely adviser:diplomatic, discreet and politically adept. He is familiar with the corridors of power, not only in Morocco, but also on the international scene. Azoulay's determination to bring together the people of the Mediterranean led to his appointment as President of the Anna Lindh foundation, a network which promotes dialogue among countries of the region. Being a Jewish adviser to the Muslim King of Morocco, he is uniquely positioned to press for the building of a Palestinian state which recognises the existence of Israel.

Related Pictory:

pictory: Shah at Islamic Summit Rabat, Morocco, 1970's

PRINCE OF PERSIA: Crown Prince Reza Spending Summer in Rabat, Morocco (1984)

Shah to Nixon on "Revolutions" vs "Evolutions" in Middle East (1969)

Related Blogs:

Abbas Milani Guest of Morocco’s Prince Moulay Hicham

Morocco's King Mohammed VI pledges constitutional reform

ROYAL FORUM: Morocco's Steady Path Towards Democracy

Jordan's King Abdullah II announces sweeping reforms

Other Related Blogs:

Tunisia could benefit from bitter lessons of Iran’s clumsy '79 revolution

How Genuinely Democratic and Representative was the Parliament in Pahlavi Iran ?

Political Pluralism and Freedom of Press in Pahlavi Iran

How Genuinely Democratic and Representative was the Parliament in Pahlavi Iran ?

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Casablanca, Morocco (CNN) -- In the poor suburbs of Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, home-grown hip-hop artists blare from radios, clubs and street corners around the clock.

Unlike the majority of their commercial American counterparts, these rappers don't talk much about women, partying and luxury lifestyles; but poverty, illiteracy, crime, and the high cost of living.

According to a recent report from the World Bank, nearly half of young Moroccans are either unemployed or out of school.

 

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Moroccan Rapper Jailed for Song Insulting Police

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Moroccan Rapper Jailed for Song Insulting Police (cnn)

 

A Casablanca court on Friday sentenced a Moroccan hip hop artist to one year in prison for hurting the image of the police.

Mouad Belghouat, better known as "Al Haqed" (could be translated as "The Sullen One," "The Engraged One," or "The Contemptuous One") has been in custody since late March when he was arrested for his song "Kilab Al Dawla" or "Dogs of the State" where he criticizes the police for corruption and an online music video set to his lyrics that shows a policeman with a donkey's head (he says he didn't make the video.)

“You are paid to protect the citizens, not to steal their money,” say the lyrics. “Did your commander order you to take money from the poor?” The song asks the police to arrest the wealthy businessmen who he says have divided the country up for themselves.

The 24-year-old Al Haqed (often spelled L7a9ed in the alphanumeric interpretation of the Arabic letters)  comes from a sprawling slum on the outskirts of Casabalanca and has become one of the key voices of the youth involved in the pro-reform February 20 movement.

The conviction has drawn an outcry from Al Haqed's supporters on his website and on social media as well as criticism from Human Rights Watch among others.

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Filed under: Human Rights •Morocco 


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Two American soldiers have died and another two are injured after their helicopter crashed in southern Morocco, according to US officials.


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FYI/Moroccan cities set for protests

by Darius Kadivar on


Morocco set for nationwide protests after king's speech (bbc)

 

Demonstrations are expected later in Moroccan cities after reformists said constitutional changes proposed by King Mohammed VI do not go far enough.

Many critics want constitutional changes drawn up by a democratically elected committee instead.

They also say the proposed referendum on the constitution comes too soon and leaves little time for a real debate.

The king said on Friday the reforms would limit his power and usher Morocco towards a constitutional monarchy.


Red Wine

...

by Red Wine on

 

از همان لحظه اول می‌‌دانستیم که آقای محمد ششم راهی‌ به جای در نخواهد برد با این خطابه !

۱-ایشان هنوز دستور آزادیِ کاملِ فعالیونِ مغربی را صادر نکرده است.

۲-ایشان کماکان اصرار دارند که بر اموراتِ سیاسی و فرهنگی‌ِ کشور نزارت داشته باشند.

۳-ایشان کماکان قدرتِ برکناری انخست وزیر را دارند.

۴-ایشان در مورد دزدیهای میلیونی افرادِ وابسته به ایشان،دوستان و خویشانِ مبارکِ خودشان هیچ گونه اظهارِ نظری نکردند.

۵-تکلیفِ صحرا،قسمت و سرنوشتِ مردمانِ آنجا چه می‌‌شود ؟ آیا ایشان تصور می‌‌کنند که هنوز این قسمتی‌ از کشورِ مغرب است ایشان شاهِ بادیه نشینان ؟!

با گفتنِ اینکه کشور مشروطه سلطنتی است و فلان و بیسار که نمیتوان شکم گرسنه ملت را سیر کرد،ایشان میبایستی به فکر راهِ حل باشند و عجله کنند گر نمی‌‌خواهند انقلاب بعدی مغرب را درنوردد !


Darius Kadivar

FYI/Morocco: Protesters say king's reforms 'not enough'

by Darius Kadivar on


Morocco: Protesters say king's reforms 'not enough' (bbc)

 

Pro-democracy activists in Morocco have said constitutional reforms proposed by King Mohammed VI do not go far enough.

Members of the February 20 said they would still hold a planned protest on Sunday calling for greater changes to the country's political system.


Related :



VIDEO : Moroccans celebrate King Mohammed's reform speech(bbc)

 


Red Wine

...

by Red Wine on

این گونه رفتار اندکی‌ دیر به نظر می‌‌آید و سخرانیِ ایشان تنها بازی با کلمات بود و چندان کمکی‌ به حالِ اسفناک مغربیان نمی‌‌کند...

مملکت اینان آن چنان در رشوه خواری و دیگر اموراتِ ننگین و فقر شدید دست و پا می‌‌زند که دیگر مردم را یارای حرکتی‌ نیست و خودا داند تا به کی ایشان متحمّل این ننگ خواهند بود.

با این تمامِ این تفاضیلِ گفته شده،ملک محمدِ ششم جایگاهی‌ خاص در بینِ مردم دارد،اولا که مغربیان پدرِ ایشان را هنوز به نیکویی یاد می‌‌کنند و پدرِ سازندگی مملکت دانند و دوما این که محمد توانسته است توازنِ درستی‌ بینِ مغربیان و دیگر قبایل بربر ایجاد کند،صلح و آرامش به این مناطق بازگشته است،هر چند که منطقه صحرا هنوز در رنج و عذاب اوقات را می‌‌گذراند اما دیگر از آن جنگایِ خونین خبری نیست و مردم بدانچه دارند..راضیند هر چند که صلح واقعی‌ هنوز در منطقه حکمفرما نیست.

مغرب سانسورِ شدید را در رابطه با روزنامه نگاران اعمال می‌‌کند،هیچ کس نمی‌‌تواند از ملک محمد ششم انتقاد کند،حرفِ اضافه یعنی‌ زندان و مرگِ عجیب در حبس ! تمامیِ ارتباطاتِ جمعی از سوی دولت کنترل می‌‌شود و خفقان هنوز قابل لمس است...

با این حال باید این را به فالِ نیک‌ گرفت،آیا اینکه در اموراتِ سیاسی مملکت و دیگر جریاناتِ اجتماعی این کشورِ دوست و برادر،امرِ نیکویی حاصل خواهد شد،کس نمی‌‌داند و تنها میبایستی در انتظارِ آینده بود و گوش به خواسته اصلی‌ِ مردم !

از داریوش خان برایِ این مطلب سپاسگزاریم .