Prominent Moroccan rights groups to boycott international rights meeting in Marrakech

RABAT, Morocco – Some of Morocco's most prominent human rights groups have said they will be boycotting the World Forum of Human Rights to be hosted in Marrakech because of government interference.

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights and seven other organizations said Monday that even as the country was hosting this international meeting, it was interfering with rights groups at home.

The meeting, held last year in Brazil, will bring together rights groups from all over the world to the resort city of Marrakech on Thursday and discuss the rights of women, children and promoting human rights among young people.

The dissenting groups' statement said they decided to boycott after their suggestions for the conference were ignored and government continued to repress any organizations with which it disagreed.