Morocco: Ongoing Talks for Government Formation
Fatima Zahra Mansouri, the appointed head of the Moroccan government, is actively engaged in consultations with party leaders as she seeks to form a new government. In her recent meetings, she has welcomed leaders from various political parties in preparation for creating a governmental coalition, with the Authenticity and Modernity Party, which emerged victorious in the elections, set to play a central role in this alliance. Most of the prominent political parties responded positively to Mansouri’s invitation for discussions about the components of the upcoming government. However, the Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party, Abdelilah Benkirane, declined to hold a meeting with Mansouri at her party's headquarters.
Algeria: Death Penalty Expansion for Arsonists and Child Abductors
The Algerian National People's Council has approved a draft amendment to the penal code that includes the death penalty for crimes related to arson in forests and the abduction of children. Following this approval, the draft will be forwarded to the Council of the Nation, the upper house of parliament, for further discussion and voting before it is signed by the President of the Republic and published in the official gazette to take effect. Amnesty International has urged Algeria to "immediately abandon any plans to expand the death penalty" or to resume executions after more than three decades of moratorium.
Tunisia: Easing Penalties for Anti-Fake News Law Amid Human Rights Criticism
Tunisia has reduced the penalties outlined in Decree 54 regarding the fight against fake news. President Kais Saied signed an amendment on Wednesday that eliminates the five-year prison sentence, substituting it with fines while retaining imprisonment for repeat offenders. Organizations dedicated to press freedom welcomed this partial easing of penalties but argued that the amendment does not adequately address broader concerns associated with the legislation. Ziad Debbar, the head of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists, emphasized that merely amending one article and abolishing some prison sentences does not signify an end to trials related to freedom of expression in Tunisia, pointing out that journalists are still being prosecuted under other laws, including the Communications Code and the Anti-Terrorism Law.
Mauritania: Calls for Law Against Sexual Assaults on Minors Amid Recent Cases
In light of a disturbing series of sexual assaults that have sparked widespread outrage in Mauritania in recent weeks, civil society organizations are advocating for the establishment of a law to penalize acts of gender-based violence. Several recent cases of rape, particularly involving two young girls aged seven and four, have reignited discussions about the urgent need to address sexual crimes in Mauritania, where no specific law currently exists to tackle such offenses.
Libya: Delayed School Year and Teachers' Strike Unites a Divided Nation
The start of the academic year in Libya has been delayed, with schools remaining closed due to a strike by teachers across the divided country, who are demanding better wages. The school year was initially scheduled to commence on September 6 but was postponed to September 13, a decision attributed to some schools undergoing maintenance work. Subsequently, public school teachers announced a nationwide protest, supported by the teachers' union, despite the country's division into two regions. As a result of these protests, approximately 1.6 million students across primary and secondary education have been deprived of their classes. However, private school teachers are not participating in the strike, as they are not affected by their public sector colleagues' demands. This movement previously attracted thousands to a demonstration in front of the Tripoli municipality on September 24, leading to the announcement of a "general strike" starting on September 27.
As reported by france24.com.
