Morocco Defends Decision to Bar Belgian Lawyer from Entering Country

In order to ensure an impartial and independent observation of the course of the trial of journalist Omar Radi, Morocco has granted authorization to foreign observers of various nationalities, so that they can go to the territory to follow the trial alongside representatives of diplomatic bodies and the national human rights institution.

Christophe Marchand, "known for his hostile positions towards Morocco", in particular those detrimental to its territorial integrity, does not accept that he was denied access to Moroccan territory. According to the ministerial delegation, his insistence on going to Morocco "is only a simple attempt to exploit his presence in the Kingdom to disrupt the course of a case in justice", adds the same source.

The press release emphasizes the bad intention hidden behind the gesture of the Belgian lawyer, who despite the ban that was notified to him since February 24, 2021, persisted in going to Morocco, in order to confront the authorities with a fait accompli, and to harm the image of the country, by playing the role of the victim.

The Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights specifies that "the provisions of Law No. 02-03 relating to the entry and stay of foreigners in the Kingdom of Morocco, emigration and irregular immigration, in particular Article 4, indicate that access to Moroccan territory may be refused to any foreigner who is subject to a ban on the territory, which applies to this specific case".