Country Profile:
Morocco
Summary
Some modest reforms in the Moroccan security sector have been taking place since King Mohammed VI assumed the throne in 1999. In 2004, he established the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, an official government human rights committee designed to investigate abuses by the state security forces during the reign of Hassan II (1961-1999) and compensate victims.
The reform process in Morocco has largely been driven by a desire to improve Morocco’s image and standing on human rights. The majority of the reforms in the security sector are aimed at limiting abuses of power by security actors and educating police and prison staff, as well as the general population, about human rights.
The security situation in Morocco is complicated by the conflict in Western Sahara, a neighbouring territory annexed by Morocco in the 1970s. The territory has been on the UN‟s List of Non-Self- Governing Territories since 1960. Most African countries recognize Western Sahara’s status as an independent state, which has led Morocco refuse membership in the African Union.
