Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, September/October 2006, pages 66-67

Human Rights

Morocco’s “Tranquil Revolution”

	Dr. Mokhtar Ghambou (l), American Moroccan Institute (AMI) president, and Congressman John Larson (D-CT) discuss human rights in Morocco (Courtesy AMI).

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS and the Moroccan parliament, human rights experts, and senior U.S. government officials met on Capitol Hill June 8 to discuss Morocco’s recent democratic reforms and their contribution to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa. Organized by the American Moroccan Institute (AMI), in conjunction with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the conference addressed the challenges and promises of social, religious and political reform in Morocco—in particular, the example that Moroccan democratic reforms may set for the rest of the Arab world.

Addressing congressional leaders, Serge Berdugo, secretary-general of the Council of Moroccan Jews, described the experience of the Jewish community as an example of Morocco’s overall commitment to furthering peaceful coexistence and democratic representation in an open society. “I want you to know that Morocco is undertaking a tranquil revolution of progress,” Ambassador Berdugo said. “This revolution respects our religious traditions, the values of our culture and the identity of our people…it is a calm revolution that will take Morocco toward a real democracy, a multicultural society and a full partner in the world community.”

The joint AMI-NDI event targeted a wide congressional audience and provided an opportunity for dialogue among key players and policymakers to enhance mutual understanding between the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Panelists included Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Sam Gejdenson (D-CT), John Larson (D-CT), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Robert Wexler (D-FL); Moroccan Deputies Fatna El-Kheil and Abdenbi Saligane; Radio Television du Maroc general news director Ali Bouzerda; and Charles Dahan, vice president of the World Federation for Moroccan Jewry.

Summing up the panel discussions, Congressman Diaz-Balart stated that political pluralism, as evidenced by the key role of the Moroccan parliament and its free press, offers “the best example” for other Arab nations. “The U.S. does not have a better friend in the Arab world,” he concluded.

         -Delinda C. Hanley