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.

but I am sure he knew there would be risks.

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

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

It’s really an impressive posting.

Web Royalty

hola

http://nordseefan.wordpress.com/

bye

hello

my new page

http://my.opera.com/Mlemke/blog/

bye

[...] 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: [...]

[...] 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 [...]

[...] More information at Mideast Youth. [...]