Islamic Society, Human Rights, and the Death Penalty: Capital Punishment in Morocco

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 26, 2007 -- According to article 16 of the Moroccan penal code allows capital punishment for murder, torture, armed robbery, arson, treason, desertion or an attempt on the king’s life; however, the death penalty has not been carried out since 1993. There are currently 131 people on death row, but the death penalty is still the constitutional prerogative of the king, and King Mohammed VI has not yet signed a death warrant since he became king in 1999.

Terrorism

In today’s political landscape, terrorism is considered to be the biggest obstacle to abolishing capital punishment in Morocco all together. In May 2003, the Moroccan parliament passed a new anti-terrorist law, which made ordinary crimes eligible for the death penalty if they are considered terrorist crimes. By August 2005, over 2,000 people had been accused of crimes related to terrorism, and 17 were sentenced to death.

Current Debate
In October 2006, it was announced that a bill for the abolition of capital punishment would be presented to parliament for a vote in Spring 2007. Bouchra Khiari, deputy of the party leading the project to end capital punishment, the FFD, says that the bill is ready and has been submitted to the general secretariat of the government.

Political Positions
For:

The project to end capital punishment is being led by Le Front des Forces Democratiques (FFD). Support is coming from parties such as l‘Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires (USFP) and Le Parti du Progres et du Socialisme (PPS). Malika Oulialy, member of the PPS, states that the abolition of capital punishment concerns the process of democratization of the country. She believes that it is important for a society to respect the right to life. Ahmed Kouza, member of Amnesty International Morocco, argues that capital punishment has no place in today’s Morocco as it “leaves no opportunities for correction and re-integration for inmates into society.”
Against:
Resistance to the bill for the abolition of capital punishment is expected from Le Parti de la Justice et du Developpement (PJD). They are the only government recognized Islamic Party, and they claim that the death penalty is consistent with Sharia law. Islamist groups claim that Sharia Law dictates the death penalty in crimes such as murder and adultery.

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