Moroccan and international politicians, religious leaders and campaigners held advanced discussions in Rabat for World Day Against the Death Penalty

Moroccan and international politicians, religious leaders and campaigners held advanced discussions in Rabat for World Day Against the Death Penalty. It was organised by Ensemble Contre la Peine de Mort (ECPM) and the Conseil Consultatif des Droits de l'Homme (CCDH – Consultative Council for Human Rights). Parliamentarians, judges, lawyers, academics, ulemas and human rights organisations gathered in thematic sessions linking capital punishment to human rights, Islamic beliefs, national legislation, criminology and international position. Chaired by Ahmed Herzenni, the president of CCDH, the opening session was marked by a speech by Moroccan Minister for Justice Abdelwahed Radi. Participants studied the ways and means to implement the recommendations of the Instance Equité et Réconciliation (Equity and Reconciliation Board), and in particular the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political rights. According to Richard Sédillot, an ECPM board member, "The international community considers that Morocco has abolished the death penalty in practice; it is a country that deserves abolition". Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary General of the Rabita Mohammédia des oulémas (Mohammédia Rabita of ulemas), demonstrated that abolishing the death penalty was not contradictory to the principles of Islam. He argued that capital punishment is limited to a few specific circumstances, like apostasy, premeditated murder or high treason and explained that Islam "always empowers the iman to choose".