Zawaya

Abdelaziz Karraky

Abdelaziz Karraky is a Moroccan university Political Science professor in Rabat and a human rights activist. Karraky has also worked extensively on human development issues and on democratisation.

Opinions by this panelist

Elections are essential to democracy

Elections are an indispensable prerequisite for democracy, because they permit competition for the transfer of power and abolish individual claims over power, ensuring that it is shared. And because they institute the concept of a political contract between rulers and… more

A cultural shift must first take place for women's advancement in politics

All constitutions of the Arab Maghreb countries state - in one form or another - the principle of gender equality, and many of them had ratified the Convention on the Political Rights of Women adopted on 20 December 1952. According… more

Education in the Maghreb has not achieved its objectives

The speech of President Barack Obama in Cairo University was not only limited to developing a road map which will certainly lead to building real peace in the Middle East, but it also pointed out the mechanisms of progress in… more

Reconsidering the law governing parties

The clamor of the electoral campaign that lasted for 12 days and in which 30 parties were competing for 27,795 seats is finally over. If one reflects on the outcome of these elections, one will draw a set of data,… more

There is no law that allows kidnapping innocent people

First of all, there is no law that allows kidnapping innocent people, and forcing their families or countries to pay ransoms in exchange for their release. Many people might say that Algeria was right when it decided not to deal… more

Al-Megrahi's release was primarily done for humanitarian reasons

One of the things that has provoked many viewers worldwide this summer is probably the images that were aired by TV networks from Libya of Libyan national Abdel Baset al-Megrahi - who is accused of bombing the PAN American plane… more

Fighting extremism in Somalia and beyond cannot rely solely on force

The declaration of the African Union leaders to make of 2010 a Year of Peace and Security in the Continent prompts them to confront many challenges, including democratization, eradication of famine, and peace establishment. All these issues are interrelated and… more

Democracy has to come to Africa first before the continent can aspire to a permanent seat

The first address of the Libyan leader Muammar Kadhafi to the United Nations General Assembly this year will remain a memorable event. Kadhafi is one of the leaders who protested in their own ways before the UN, like Khrushchev who… more

A real rapprochement needs to occur between Morocco and Algeria

The global popularity that football is enjoying today has turned it into a field where political, economic and social interests interact, thus making the organs supervising this sport gain a power that many international organizations do not have. This popularity… more

This appointment is a tribute to Morocco

This appointment is a tribute to Morocco on three levels: Firstly, it is an explicit recognition of Moroccan efforts in terms of self-reconciliation and putting an end to human rights violations through the Equity and Reconciliation Commission. Secondly, it is… more

Restoring stability comes through the establishment of democratic rule

Political turmoil prevails in a number of regions in the world today, affecting all fields, thus making it hard - if not impossible - to meet the most basic needs of life. Some disorders are of ethnic nature and were… more

Maghreb citizens must realize the importance of preserving historical sites

The Great Maghreb has a large number of archaeological sites that have witnessed the succession of various human civilizations. It is not about scattered antiquities, as much as it is about entire archaeological cities where people live today without -… more

Palestine, no matter other threats, is the overarching issue for the Arab World

The Arab League held its 22nd meeting in Sirte, Libya, March 27-29, 2010. This summit emphasized, once more, the decline of the interest of Arab peoples in the Arab League's meetings, as their expectations and aspirations are much bigger than… more

Accepting others as they are, not as we want them to be

Authorities were able, until recently, to draw boundaries for the freedom of expression as they wished, and make it consistent with the exact perception they had of it. Newspapers could be confiscated, or their issuance could be stopped when they… more

Democracy relies on a free and responsible press

Free press is seen today as one of the finest types of freedom of expression, and as an inseparable element of true democracy. Free press conveys news to citizens, and enables them to build positions about all core issues concerning… more

The National Initiative for Human Development, a new way of thinking about development

The National Initiative for Human Development is evidence of the country's awareness about the deficit of the development model that prevailed for a long time. This old model can no longer meet the growing and diverse needs of large proportions… more

Solving the Sahara issue would enable greater cooperation among Maghreb nations

Mauritania has suffered from al-Qaeda more than once. Consequently, the country decided that the first confrontation with this organization should be through the control of borders, in order to prevent the infiltration of terrorist elements into the Mauritanian territory. It… more

The danger of terrorism is far-reaching

Any normal human being can't but be shaken by the sight of murder scenes, wherever they take place, and whatever excuses are invoked, especially in places where people seek entertainment, only for their joy to evaporate in a second because… more

Large projects can alleviate the economic crisis in the Maghreb

Similarly to the 1929 global crisis that had crawled all over the world and destroyed the economies of many countries, the current global economic crisis has repercussions on every corner of the world. While the direct negative impacts emerged first… more

An independent press is a measure of a society's freedom

The existence of an independent press in a given country indicates an important margin of freedom in it, and underlines the non-existence of political hegemony over the whole social pattern, thus indicating a genuine pluralism that encourages intellectual diversity. So… more

Civil society channels ideas into action

The International Forum for Human Development was held in Agadir, shortly after the international summit hosted by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to discuss the Millennium Development Goals in New York on 20-22 September 2010. Both events confirm that… more

Maghreb countries can better prepare for natural disasters

No matter how powerful and advanced a country is, it cannot face natural disasters. Countries are often helpless before the wrath of nature, which destroys everything on its way. However, technological progress made it possible today to mitigate - not… more

The clashes of Laayoune point to the need to solve the conflict

The events that took place in Laayoune during the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik camp were not ordinary clashes between security forces and demonstrators, nor similar to those happening in the rest of the world, including developed countries. Despite the… more

Radical institutional change will not ensue from recent Maghreb protests

The recent events that took place in some Maghreb countries confirm the existence of social and economic inequalities, as well as disruptions in terms of exercising freedoms. However, it should be noted that the exercise of freedoms varies clearly among… more

Reforming the army and the State crucial in Libya

Since Muammar Gaddafi took power in 1969, the Libyan army warred against Egypt, Chad and Sudan. These wars were not defense-oriented, as much as they were whims to seek positioning. The Libyan political system established a special relationship between the… more

Rights and duties go hand in hand

Maghreb youth have initiated political reform, since senior political elites were utterly submissive and often engaged in endless concessions in exchange for personal benefits. These elites lost their leading role due to their inability to be creative and innovative in… more

Human rights in Morocco: taking on a new life

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) is the legitimate successor of the Advisory Council on Human Rights (CCDH), and its inception marks the start of a qualitative shift in Morocco aiming to monitor the respect of human rights by all… more

Islamic parties need to be included in the political process

Religion raises quite a few issues at the political level, in one way or another. The West settled this matter when it separated between reason and faith a long time ago, whereas the issue remains pending for many Muslim communities… more

Strengthening the judiciary: a must for democracy

Any humane person would get emotional if someone is imprisoned because of their political views, and when someone is released after being acquitted of political charges. Through the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, Morocco studied the phenomenon of political detention in… more

Terrorism cannot change the quest for freedom in the Maghreb

I don't know what motivated the perpetrators of the terrorist attack against Argana Café in Marrakech to choose this special timing for Moroccan society, in order to carry out this awful act that disturbed the debates and dialogue seeking a… more

Ratification of optional protocols: the only way forward

There have been certain disparities so far between Maghreb countries in terms of accession to international conventions on human rights and their optional protocols. Tunisia and Libya had already ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of… more

Countering AQIM through the creation of positive ideologies

The Libyan civil war has contributed to an unprecedented proliferation of weapons. This situation will likely persist until the establishment of an authority capable of imposing the rule of law. Libya is very close to the strongholds of al-Qaeda in… more

Maghreb societies need to move towards separation of powers

All Maghreb countries, except for Libya, are former French colonies whose Constitutions are based on the French semi-presidential model introduced by De Gaulle. This model resulted from a historical experience that confirmed France's failure in adopting the English parliamentary system,… more

Maghreb countries will benefit from Morocco's accession to the Pompidou Group

Drugs are a threatening scourge on many countries worldwide, including the Maghreb. Drugs are consumed particularly by young people who are the productive force of society; their traffic systematically sabotages the economy; and they help spread organized crime, which undermines… more

Countering radical ideas by enhancing the well-being of the people

Experience from around the world has demonstrated that a security-based approach is not enough to counter terrorism. This phenomenon has ideological foundations that easily convince people, and is fueled by the widespread poverty and vulnerability that are usually used to… more

Improving quality of life first as a line of first defence

The mysterious death of Ibrahim Ag Bahanga will certainly cast its shadow on the Sahel region, for an unknown period of time, due to many reasons, mainly: • The nature of his organization, its structure, and its ability to find… more

The 09/11 terrorist attack, a shock to the entire world.

The 09/11 terrorist attack shocked the entire world. People couldn't believe this kind of horror that used to be seen only in the fantasy world of movie studios. Thousands of innocent people were killed mercilessly and pitilessly, just because they… more

Protecting the youth through the promotion of values within the family

The internet offers the possibility of freely browsing an endless virtual world, and facilitates communication between people more than ever before, thus turning the world into a small borderless village. However, it is also a dangerous tool misused by many… more

The International Criminal Court should be involved in trying Saif al-Islam

Libya is going through a transition phase with a political regime and future ruling institutions that lack clarity. The way the Libyan Colonel was killed and his dead body abused, proves that society is dominated by revenge. The situation is… more

Relying on Maghreb expertise for the development of the Sahel

The Sahel consists of poor countries that face natural hardships related to climate change; political difficulties resulting from the total or partial absence of democracy; social and economic problems with the highest poverty rates in the world; and the negative… more

Avoiding war in the Sahel through development

On July 4, 2006, the Malian government and the May 23, 2006 Democratic Alliance for Change (ADC) signed the Algiers agreement. Many believed back then that the Tuareg problem in Mali was solved once and for all, thus sparing the… more

Mali coup strengthens rogue groups

Maghreb countries fight daily in the desert against networks operating in everything from drug smuggling to human trafficking. Challenges will increase after the collapse of the Malian government, as various gangs will have access to more space and gain more… more

African Union to benefit from Morocco membership

Morocco's accession to the African Union should be prioritised. The Kingdom contributed to the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity but did not continue the relationship after the body became the African Union. The decision, however, did not exclude… more

Turning differences into strength

All those who settled in the Maghreb throughout time brought with them their own cultures, making it a land of real pluralism and a home to tolerance. It was a place where revealed religions co-existed next to each other: the… more

Painful lessons build strong societies

*Zawaya*: How significant is political dialogue in any given society? *Abdelaziz Karraky*: A culture of political dialogue is essential to achieving balance and stability among all components of society. However, such a culture is usually the result of sometimes painful… more