AMDH
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (Association Marocaine des Droits Humains – AMDH) works on promoting the culture of human rights through education and awareness-raising. It monitors human rights violations in Morocco and provides legal support for victims. It also works to ensure that Moroccan law complies with international human rights standards. The organisation reported that between July 2014 and May 2016, Moroccan authorities arbitrarily banned or disrupted 104 of its events, including conferences and sit-ins.
Journalists and media workers critical of the government face harassment and arrest in some instances, and the country's press law includes prison terms for “maliciously” spreading “false information”. There are reports of torture and ill-treatment of human rights defenders in detention and activists held have been incommunicado.
Government officials can arbitrarily refuse registration of independent associations. Groups such as those that advocate on behalf of sub-Saharan immigrants and unemployed university students as well as organizations that defend the rights of Sahrawis and Amazighs (Berbers) face serious restrictions to their work.
