Abortion is illegal in Morocco -- both the doctor and the woman can be arrested and sentenced up to several years in prison. Extramarital sexual relations are also illegal, though only worth one month in prison. Morocco has been gradually, ever so gradually, relaxing its patriarchal hold on women's lives; the current king seems to want to be an exemplar of enlightened (and enlightening) religious monarchy, granting more and more rights to women. And yet...
Yesterday a newspaper reporter was arrested, along with her fiancé and her doctor, as she left a clinic. She claims that 1-she had a muslim marriage ceremony last week; and 2-she was suffering a miscarriage. This has stirred up the capital's social media scene, and likely will remain a hot topic when we arrive in Rabat in a couple of weeks.
To further stir the pot, a pro-government site published a medical report indicating that it was an abortion at the 7th week of pregnancy, contradicting the other reports.
The case is particularly noticed because the reporter works for an activist Arabic-language newspaper.
We certainly will not be involved in local politics; however, it is good to know what controversies are swirling about; for my part, I hope for some greater liberalization, hope that the king will commute this arrest.
https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Une-journaliste-arretee-pour-avortement-illegal-au-Maroc-1645246
We note also that the Tunisian presidential election campaign is just starting. Morocco will be watching with interest. Ironically, in Algeria protestors are demanding a delay in its presidential campaign in order to give the civilian candidates more time to organize.
Yesterday a newspaper reporter was arrested, along with her fiancé and her doctor, as she left a clinic. She claims that 1-she had a muslim marriage ceremony last week; and 2-she was suffering a miscarriage. This has stirred up the capital's social media scene, and likely will remain a hot topic when we arrive in Rabat in a couple of weeks.
To further stir the pot, a pro-government site published a medical report indicating that it was an abortion at the 7th week of pregnancy, contradicting the other reports.
The case is particularly noticed because the reporter works for an activist Arabic-language newspaper.
We certainly will not be involved in local politics; however, it is good to know what controversies are swirling about; for my part, I hope for some greater liberalization, hope that the king will commute this arrest.
https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Une-journaliste-arretee-pour-avortement-illegal-au-Maroc-1645246
We note also that the Tunisian presidential election campaign is just starting. Morocco will be watching with interest. Ironically, in Algeria protestors are demanding a delay in its presidential campaign in order to give the civilian candidates more time to organize.
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