Strengthening co-operation with the Maghreb countries
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 23 January 2008 (6th Sitting) (see Doc. 11474, report of the Political Affairs Committee, rapporteur: Mrs Durrieu). Text adopted by the Assembly on 23 January 2008 (6th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers to
Resolution 1506 (2006) on the external relations of the Council of Europe and reiterates its commitment to promoting democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights beyond the current borders of its member states, in neighbouring countries and, in particular, in the southern Mediterranean through dialogue and co-operation.
2. In this context, the Assembly sets particular store by strengthening co-operation and exchanges with the Maghreb
countries, which it regards as one of the pillars of stability in the Euro-Mediterranean region and as key partners.
3. However, the three Maghreb countries are still governed by authoritarian regimes with a single party or a dominant
party and no real political pluralism. The regimes therefore restrict public freedoms. In this connection, the Assembly
is concerned about the state of freedom of expression and the situation of the media in the three countries. Certain
issues may not be discussed and some journalists face prosecution. The Assembly urges Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia
to guarantee full freedom of expression.
4. The Assembly notes and regrets the infringements of political freedoms in Algeria and Tunisia as regards the
registration of political parties, the proceedings brought against opposition activists and the police surveillance they are
subjected to. The Assembly also notes the low turnout at elections in these countries, where voter abstention sometimes
exceeds 60%. During the visit of the rapporteur to Tunisia, the Assembly paid particular attention to the reasons for the
October 2007 hunger strike by Maya Jribi and Néjib Chebbi, the two leaders of the Democratic Progressive Party
(PDP), a Tunisian opposition party.
5. The Assembly also notes that radical Islam has not disappeared from the three countries and is a fertile breeding
ground for terrorism which is still latent, considering the number of attacks recorded there in recent months and years.
The action taken against radical terrorism and fundamentalism is, however, strong and well organised. The situation is
said to be “under control”, although that would not always appear to be verified.
6. However, Islam is the religion of these countries and moderate Islam is dominant. Interesting discussions are
therefore under way, in particular in Tunisia, about the place and even the integration of moderate Islam in political
life and the democratic process along the lines of the Christian Democrat model in Europe.
7. At the same time, the Assembly welcomes the moratorium on the death penalty decreed by the three countries and
their ratification of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
8. The Assembly notes with interest that Algeria and Morocco have begun a process of discussing human rights in
their countries. Aware that respect for democracy and human rights will lead to greater political stability, they have set
up bodies for protecting and discussing human rights, namely the National Advisory Committee on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights in Algeria and the Advisory Council on Human Rights in Morocco.
9. The Assembly also notes that the three Maghreb countries – Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco – have made clear
progress in terms of promoting gender equality. As evidenced by the Code on Personal Status promulgated by Habib Bourguiba in Tunisia (1956), by the Moudawana, or Family Code in Morocco (2004), or by the large number of
women in senior positions in Algerian society, substantial progress has been made. The Assembly encourages the
Maghreb countries to implement these reforms as quickly as possible throughout their territories. It is also ready and
willing to take part in continued parliamentary dialogue and exchange of good practices in the area of equality,
particularly with regard to gender equality in civil law. Education is a priority in these countries.
10.
However, the economic situation in the three countries still varies greatly. While Tunisia has a high level of
economic development and a middle class making up around 70% of the population, the natural resources in Algeria –
oil and gas – do not seem to be producing visible effects in terms of development and investment. At the same time, in
Algeria and Tunisia, the unemployment rate remains high (15.7% and 14%), while it is lower in Morocco (7.7%). That
is a breeding ground for terrorism. Unemployment also feeds emigration and causes other problems in the host
countries. Moreover, corruption is widespread and endemic.
11. In addition, the Assembly regrets the fact that the conflict in the Western Sahara has not been resolved. Since 1976,
it has hampered bilateral relations between Algeria and Morocco and the prospects for union and action in the
Maghreb. It is a clear stumbling block to stronger co-operation between the three countries.
12. The Assembly also notes that the governments and the opposition in the three countries are all in favour of rapidly
strengthening ties with Europe and the Council of Europe. Since the Barcelona Process, there have been high
expectations which have been disappointed. Closer ties between the two shores of the Mediterranean are desired and
are a source of hope.
13. In this context, the Assembly reaffirms the importance it attaches to strengthening the co-operation with the
Maghreb countries, as a pillar of stability in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Many issues such as terrorism, dialogue
between religions and cultures, economic development and immigration require comprehensive responses, both north
and south of the Mediterranean.
14. Since 2007, Algeria and Morocco
Note have been members of the European Commission for Democracy through Law
(Venice Commission) and the three countries have already joined several Council of Europe partial agreements and
conventions. In addition, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia co-operate with the Council of Europe on certain issues such
as the environment, education and gender equality.
15. The Assembly notes that the Maghreb countries are heavily involved in intercultural and interfaith dialogue, which
is one of the Assembly’s priorities, as demonstrated, for instance, by the dialogue between civilisations supported by
the President of the Republic of Tunisia and the participation of Algeria’s Supreme Islamic Council (HCI) and the
Foundation of the Three Cultures (Morocco) in many colloquies on the subject.
16. The Assembly also believes that it is necessary to strengthen this co-operation so as to enable the Maghreb
countries to build on the Council of Europe’s experience and know-how in consolidating the rule of law. The cooperation
must be based on resolute commitment on their part and must be reflected in real progress towards a
democracy embodying the rule of law and respect for human rights.
17. With a view to mutual exchanges and preferential partnership, the Assembly therefore calls on the authorities of
Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia to:
17.1 consider becoming parties to the relevant Council of Europe legal instruments which are open to non-member
states;
17.2 draw greater benefit from the experience of the Venice Commission;
17.3 establish relations and consider co-operating with other Council of Europe bodies, in particular the European
Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity (North-South Centre).
18. The Assembly encourages the parliaments of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia to:
18.1 play a leading role in promoting dialogue and co-operation between the relevant authorities and institutions in
Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia and the Council of Europe’s various institutional bodies and leaders;
18.2 move forward still further with political reforms in their countries with a view to strengthening democracy,
promoting the rule of law and ensuring respect for human rights and to review, in co-operation with the Venice
Commission and in accordance with Council of Europe standards, their legislation concerning:
18.2.1 the conduct of elections;
18.2.2 the establishment and activities of political parties;
18.2.3 media freedom and independence;
18.2.4 freedom of assembly and association;
18.2.5 independence of the judiciary;
18.2.6 local self-government;
18.2.7 the fight against corruption;
18.3 pass legislation necessary for completely abolishing the death penalty in their countries;
18.4 guarantee freedom of thought and of religion for all population groups in their diversity.
19. For its part, the Assembly is determined to step up co-operation with the parliaments of the three Maghreb
countries by inviting parliamentary delegations to attend plenary sessions of the Assembly and to be heard by the
Political Affairs Committee.
20. It asks the Bureau and the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs to take account
of this report on the Maghreb countries and to include it in the general discussion under way on the future structures
and external relations of the Assembly with a view to determining the place of these three countries in the special
relations to be established with the countries on the southern shore of the Mediterranean.
