the appointment of its members by Royal Decree is in compliance
with the provisions of the Constitution.1
Third Theme: Monitoring the electoral process in 2014 by
National Institution for Human Rights
As the NIHR, through its Council of Commissioners, did not start working
actually until February 2013 upon the issuance of the Royal Decree restructuring
the Institution, making it difficult to carry out effective monitoring of the
parliamentary and the municipality elections which took place in November 2014,
the NIHR, therefore, in line with its role in the protection of human rights,
monitored the position of some political parties through their decision to boycott
the parliamentary and municipal elections, and while the National Institution
believes that position was an expression of its opinion and convictions under the
Constitution, it is of the view that participating in the political affairs is a right for
individuals guaranteed by the Constitution and international human rights
instruments, with its full belief that the democratic approach embodied by the
ballot box is the best way to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and
the maintenance of national unity. Therefore the NIHR hoped to see participation
of all national forces from different political shades in the electoral process for
advancing reform, and to strengthen and protect the frameworks of democracy
and human rights.
Pursuant to the provisions of Law Decree No. (15) of 2002, regarding the Shura
Council and the Council of Representatives, as amended, and in particular
Article no. 27, which contrary that " All election campaigning has to stop all
over the kingdom 24 hours before the date of elections. ", the NIHR noted that
the official media broadcast a television interview with a candidates, in addition
to that a local newspaper which published electoral advertisements for some
candidates during the electoral silence period, which is deemed a clear violation
of the provisions of Article mentioned above.
1
Constitutional Court's decision on Royal referral number: (e. H. M / 2/2014) of year 12 judicial issued on July 9,
2014 and published in the Official Gazette in its edition (3165) dated July 17, 2014.
10