"The situation of human rights in Morocco has improved in the last decade," Malcolm Smart, Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa programme told MAP.

    The official, who was speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony to present the organization's 2010 annual report on the situation of human rights around the world, said Amnesty International believes that such an improvement is part of the change and reform process launched in Morocco.

    "We commend this continuous process," he said, noting that Amnesty has "constructive relations" with Morocco.

    He recalled, in that regard, the permanent dialogue between the organization and the Advisory Council for Human Rights (CCDH).

    “Morocco has shown a spirit of openness compared to other countries in the region,” Smart underlined, mentioning Algeria in particular.

    “We don’t have an easy access to Algeria” he deplored, adding that there are a wide range of human rights issues that the London-based organization is looking forward to discussing.