Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Morocco (Ratification: 1966)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Imposition of sentences of imprisonment involving an obligation to work as punishment for the expression of political views. 1. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the effect given in practice to certain provisions of the Press Code (sections 20, 28, 29, 30, 41, 42, 52 and 53 of Dahir No. 1-58-378 of 15 November 1958, as amended by Act No. 77-00 of 3 October 2002), as the violation of these provisions may be penalized by the imposition of sentences of imprisonment, which involve the obligation to work under the terms of sections 24, 28 and 29 of the Penal Code and section 35 of Act No. 23-98, respecting the organization and operation of prisons.

In its report, the Government indicates that it is currently examining the revision of the Press Code with the objective of abolishing the provisions under which sentences of imprisonment can be imposed on journalists. The draft Press Code is under preparation with actors from the national media.

The Committee notes this information. It hopes that it will be possible to revise the Press Code rapidly and that none of its provisions will allow for the imposition of forced labour, in the form of compulsory prison labour, as a punishment for holding or expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. Please provide a copy of the new Press Code as soon as it is adopted. In the meantime, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide, where appropriate, copies of court decisions handed down under the above provisions of the Press Code that is currently in force and which impose sentences of imprisonment.

2. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether use has been made of section 179 of the Penal Code which punishes any offence committed towards the person of the King, the heir to the throne or members of the royal family with a sentence of imprisonment and a fine and, if so, to provide copies of the court decisions handed down in this respect. 

3. Finally, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide a copy of Dahir No. 1-58-377 of 15 November 1958 respecting public assemblies, as amended by Act No. 76-00 of 23 July 2002.