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Freedom for Shia Moslems and homosexuals suffers setback in Morocco
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Unlike the positive news from Morocco in connection with International Women’s Day, the North African country recently narrowed the scope of personal freedom for two minorities, Shia Moslems and gays.
First, Morocco ended diplomatic ties with Iran, stating that Iran was spreading Shia Islam within Morocco. Since Iran is a prominent state sponsor of terrorism and Islamism, this might have been a mere pretext. However, the authorities went on to arrest several Moroccans for converting to Shia Islam. An Iraqi school in Rabat was closed following parents’ complaints that the school promoted Shia Islam.
Foreign Minister Taeib Fassi Fihri criticized Moroccan associations seeking to develop Shia Islam in the country, allegedly with Iranian support: “Morocco cannot accept that activities of this type be conducted, directly or indirectly, or via a so-called nongovernmental organization.” He called it an “attack on the foundations” of the country and on the “cement” of Malekite Islam, the form of Sunni Islam prevalent in Morocco.
Second, on March 21 the Interior Ministry issued a statement: “Certain media are taking a stand for certain ignominious behaviors, which is a provocation for the national public opinion. Any act contrary to moral or religious values will be repressed.” An anonymous ministry official said on March 24 that this was a reference to newspapers that had advocated greater tolerance for homosexuality.
Despite this warning, the gay rights group “Kifkif” is planning a conference in Marrakesh on April 15. Member Samir Barkachi said: “In Morocco, even tolerant people don't like the idea of being involved with a gay association. Our Marrakesh meeting on April 15 aims to change this pejorative attitude towards homosexuality. It's a small meeting but we aim to make ourselves heard. We're going to talk about sex—in Morocco there’s no sex education.” Kifkif will agitate against Paragraph 489 of the Moroccan Penal Code, which forbids gay sex: “It’s a dangerous law that was put in place by France. We’re demanding that it be revised. The law has no right to interfere with what people get up to in bed."
Article 6 of the constitution of Morocco guarantees freedom of religion (while establishing Islam as the state religion); article 9 protects freedom of expression and association (while noting that such liberties may be limited by law). Of course, many countries have fine-sounding constitutions. How personal freedom is construed on the ground, so to speak, may be a different matter.
These recent developments underscore the fact that while Morocco is a relatively free country in the Arab context, that is after all a significant qualification. It would be difficult to say that Morocco counts as a liberal democracy. Certainly, it’s not as liberal as it could be while elements in the government see diverse opinions as a threat to be suppressed rather than a right to be protected.
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