The government of Morocco has accused Amnesty International (AI) of bias after the organisation accused Moroccan authorities of spying on a journalist, Omar Radi, without providing proof.
The North African country’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, spokesman for the government, Saïd Amzazi, and the minister in charge of human rights, Mustapha Ramid, at a press conference, accused AI of mobilising dozens of international news outlets to allegedly report unverified claims with a view to damaging Morocco’s reputation.
Bourita stated that ‘this makes us wonder about the agenda behind such reports. Amnesty has adopted a hostile stand against Morocco. Amnesty’s credibility is at stake as it cannot continue to defame on the basis of false claims’.
He added that Moroccan institutions in charge of protecting the country against cybercrimes have warned citizens openly on multiple occasions about the dangers posed by spyware to smartphones and that the Kingdom condemns the alleged disinformation campaign led by AI.
Bourita called on AI to present its evidence concerning the Radi case, stressing that Morocco remains open to dialogue with NGOs that act with credibility and professionalism.
Source: North Africa Post
Photo source: UN Geneva
