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Moroccans rally to demand reforms

Arab World Materials 4 April 2011 02:34 (UTC +04:00)

Thousands of Moroccans have staged a rally in the country's biggest city, Casablanca, to demand reform and more social justice, Press TV reported.

Protesters chanted "no to corruption", "end social injustice", and "the people want an end to authoritarianism," AFP reported on Sunday.

The demonstrators also called for the abolition of article 19 of the constitution, which makes King Mohammad VI the highest religious authority in the country.

Protesters also held rallies in the capital city of Rabat, calling for "change, freedom and the dignity of the Moroccan people."

Inspired by the recent popular revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt as well as the Middle East, the Moroccans demanded more rights and reforms during the demonstrations that started on February 20.

Secretary General of Morocco's Democratic Federation of Labor Abderrahmane Azzouzi said that "Morocco cannot remain indifferent to what is happening around it."

Under pressure from the protests, King Mohammad VI promised major reforms, which included providing more independence for the judiciary and the separation of the government from the royal house.

A commission, established following the demonstrations and tasked with reviewing the constitution, is scheduled to deliver its proposals by June.

Sunday demonstrations come despite a number of draft laws adopted by a committee of ministers on Saturday that aim at fighting against corruption.

At least six people have been killed during the peaceful demonstrations in the North African country.

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