Arabic Network for Human Rights Information<\/a> (Cairo)<\/p>\n27 December 2011<\/p>\n
\npress release<\/p>\n
Cairo \u2014 ANHRI condemns the arbitrary and degrading expulsion of Radwan Hifani, journalist, from his office in Assabah Moroccan newspaper on 21 December 2011, due to his public and continuing solidarity with Rachid Nini, editor-in-chief of el-Masaa newspaper, currently in prison.<\/p>\n
Despite being one of the founding members of the newspaper who has spent over 11 years in it, Hifani was denied access into his office as he returned from his rightful annual leave, on the grounds that he had been absent without prior permission. However, the true reason is the strained relations between him and Khaled al-Herry, editor-in-chief of the newspaper, due to Hifani’s public solidarity with Rachid Nini, who has served six months of his one year sentence in Okasha Central Prison in Casablanca.<\/p>\n
It is worth noting that Nini (41) is the editor-in-chief of el-Masaa newspaper and the writer of “Look and Reflect” well known column. The Court of First Instance in Casablanca had convicted him last June and upheld a one year effective sentence and a 1000 Dirham fine (approx. 117 $US), for “contempt of a judicial entity” and “reporting false criminal circumstances”. Calls to release Nini rose, especially after the drafting of the new constitution that was approved last July.<\/p>\n
“Such arbitrary practices by the administration board of Assabah newspaper are unacceptable and are antithetical to professional standards. It was better suited for them to allow room for negotiation and discussion if they truly find the matter positively administrative and has nothing to do with freedom of expression or Hifani’s solidarity with Nini” said ANHRI.<\/p>\n
“We still call on the Moroccan authorities to release Nini, in light of the legislations and reform undertaken. We also call on the administrative board of Assabah newspaper to review its position and ensure freedom of opinion and expression for all staff journalists, without gagging or dismissing any of them for expressing their opinion” added ANHRI.<\/p>\n
AllAfrica – All the Time<\/p>\n
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