Morrocan blogger Mohammed Raji arrested in Agadir for criticizing King’s policy
September 8th, 2008
Souad Rodi, a journalist for ALMASSAE, Morocco, has sent us an urgent alert concerning an arrested blogger in Morocco.
Unfortunately, the Morrocan government has proved its disrespect for free speech by arresting a young blogger on Friday, the 5th of September, simply for publishing an article critical of one of the King’s policies. He is said to be the first blogger to be arrested in Morocco.
The authorities forced Raji to give them his e-mail password, and until now he apparently has no access to a lawyer, but notes that he is being treated well to this point. He is an active author and blogger who writes on socio-political issues in Morocco.
There is already a petition demanding his freedom and more reasonable rights to free speech.
Souad will send a more complete article tonight with more details concerning Raji’s arrest.
Update: Some readers who attempted to sign the petition have noted that Sudan and the UAE are not included in the country lists. Whoever is responsible for the petition, please add these countries to your list.
Update II: Someone has just made us aware that, according to Hespress.com, Raji has just been sentenced by a court in the city of Agadir to 2 years in jail and a 5000dhs fine.
Update III: Now a Facebook group in his support.
Final update: We received the great news that all charges against Erraji have been dropped. In the words of one of his instrumental supporters:
The court of appeals in Agadir has overturned the decision by the court of first instance and has decided to abandon all charges against blogger Mohamed Erraji. On behalf of his family and friends, we thank all those who stood by them during these difficult times.
This is great news for freedom of speech in Morocco, and also shows the power of excessive international support.
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[...] simply for publishing an article critical of one of the King’s policies,” according to Mideast Youth. Posted by Amira Al Hussaini Print Version Share [...]
[...] simplesmente por ter publicado um artigo onde criticava uma das políticas do Rei”, declarou Mideast Youth [En]. Estes dois artigos do Global Voices em Inglês fazem uma cobertura do assunto: [...]
Isn’t a monarchy in its true sense, allowed to make whatever rules it wants within its own borders? Is this intervention by people outside of Morocco for the ‘rights’ of a citizen of a monarchy showing enough respect for the politics of the country concerned? These are a couple of pretty relevant questions here… It can go further – to having a look at the sentence of two years in prison and a fine for the blogger: in many ways this almost shows that the king has a sense of humour and means what he says. He says don’t publish against the monarchy, he is the monarchy, he will certainly if he means what he says, be expected to do something to those who ignore him. In this case he deprives someone silly enough to do this of their liberty. We could say this person in that society was risking this anyway… couldn’t we? That his family now relies on a kings pardon to save them from begging for their livelihood is kind of ironic. If the blogger didn’t say that the king granted people who wrote him begging letters favours and in so doing rewarded those who didn’t work instead of rewarding hard work – he wouldn’t be in this mess now would he. I wonder if it was all that hard to criticise the king of his country, in a way that could even possibly be seen as attempting to overthrow that monarchhy on the global playing field. I don’t blame the king for his actions. I don’t blame the blogger for his blog – but I am sure he knew there would be risks. I do hope that if his family writes to the king, begging his pardon and their providers’ freedom – that he is released to behave more appropriately with his typing fingers.
Cheers,
I hope you don’t mind the perspective.
Being “appropriate” shouldn’t mean not having the inability to respectfully criticize a policy. Essentially that is what he was doing. He didn’t insult the King, he merely questioned his policy. Where is the crime here?
People are asking Morocco to respect freedom of speech, that doesn’t mean the freedom to say and get away with anything, but the freedom to provide constructive criticism that has an effect on their lives.
So? He braved those risks. He saw a need to criticize and he did. Quite outrageous that you risk 2 years of your life in prison merely for offering critical comments, is the King truly that insecure?
If not the joys of acting as one wishes, are to be had, what point in calling oneself ‘King’ amongst ones subjects? Is it not the kings right to exercise his will as he sees fit, every now and again? It wouldn’t be very fun or interesting if this never happened now would it? Idiosyncracies welcome. Good on him. Every now and again he gets the chance to make a difference to someone who has reached out to him. Perhaps because he runs the country in such a way as encourages his subjects to feel they need help, however, perhaps it makes him happy to help on these occasions. You could say many things about it, that it deny’s the right to work hard, etc, and to be rewarded for your labour. That might be true, but it also grants to some perhaps – a feeling as though they’d just won the lottery. Inconsistent probably – something we should have a go at him about – I’m not so sure. Are you really thinking it through?
I believe we should be able to respectfully criticise a policy in a democracy. However, in a monarchy the monarch rules. They are allowed to make one set of rules for everyone else and another for themselves. They are also allowed to grant those who reach them pardons’, favours, whatever they wish in some cases.
Perhaps this king leaves his people wanting and has an easy remedy he does not employ, but I really doubt it. There must be reasons for the way he runs HIS country – perhaps you could ask him or write to him and ask him what his policies on this are – instead of gathering or attempting to gather global support against one version of a report on the basis of freedom of speech. It’s a monarchy not a democracy. When in Rome do as the Romans do. It’s common sense to learn the laws of a place before you go there and especially before you stand up and speak against it.
There are always many views on any subject – perhaps it is best to gather both sides of any discussion before going all out on one angle. Though I’m guilty of this also. Saves face and ensures thoughtful commentary in the long run.
But at least this provides a place for dialogue and perspectives to surface.
– I do hope that you can see what I am saying.
Perhaps the Moroccan people can all write to the King and ask for him to reconsider what he is doing. A true King that has the Respect of his people or longs for it, may even be moved to action by a call from the majority – especially if they don’t wish to overthrow him, but rather to guide him in their best interests. There are many ways to achieve something. Perhaps Raji didn’t get the mix right this time, maybe someone else will soon.
I believe in freedom of speech – it is why I type this at all.
I’m sure he didn’t realise it would mean two years. And I am also sure if he and his family swallow their pride enough and write a pleading letter for support and mercy and for pardon, that their King may yet make them proud to be his subjects. But first I’m not surprised that given what he has done, Raji has now been asked to learn just a little more respect for the Monarchy. I do hope he is being treated well and that his family remains safe and sound.
Cheers
[...] More information at Mideast Youth. [...]
[...] Author: Esra’a (Bahrain) – September 12, 2008 I had previously written about this innocent blogger here. Now instead of just signing the petition, there are other, more creative ways in which you can get [...]
Hi there. The link to the petition doesn’t work.
Are you sure? It does for me. Try it again (maybe in a different browser?)
HelpErraji.com
[...] More information at Mideast Youth. [...]
It’s really an impressive posting.
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