On January 25, the independent Moroccan Human Rights...

On January 25, the independent Moroccan Human Rights Association (AMDH) urged the authorities to abolish the death sentence. Some 75 people face the death sentence, including a dozen women and five people of Algerian origin detained for killing two Spaniards in a hotel attack in 1994. "While human rights defenders expect the cancellation of capital punishment, Moroccan courts continue to sentence people to death," it said in a statement. It added: "The AMDH expresses its concern and calls on the Government to cancel death verdicts against the 75 people, including a dozen cases in 1998." Death sentences have rarely been carried out because sentences have been commuted.