Moroccan magazine Nichane was recently banned by the Moroccan government for publishing popular jokes about religion, sex, and politics, which the government claimed subverted public morale and morality. Stand up for freedom of expression and sign the petition to support Nichane today. Text of the petition follows:
Petition to support Nichane
We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the unlawful ban imposed on Nichane weekly and the legal proceedings started against the editor and a journalist working for the magazine after the publication of a special report on “jokes” in Morocco.
We maintain that the ban is illegal and, in view of its form and substance, reinforces the extra-judiciary repressive measures already in force. We further believe that the ban and the legal proceedings undermine the rights and liberties established by the international authorities and human rights principles.
While we express our full and wholehearted solidarity with Nichane and call for the annulment of the ban and the dropping of the charges against its journalists, we reiterate our plea for the amendment of liberticidal laws regarding freedom of the press and freedom of opinion and thought.
Thanks to Foulla for the link. (Foulla's post includes a very attractive picture of targeted journalist Sanaa Al Aji.)