Political Rights and Civil Liberties Moroccans right to change their government democratically is limited. Although the house of representatives was elected in largely free balloting in 1997, its power is balanced by the 270-member upper house of parliament, the Chamber of Advisors, and limited by the legal and de facto power of the royal palace. Mohammad continues to rule under a constitution that grants him vast executive power. Constitutional changes must be approved by the king, who rules through his ministers, and no reform appears imminent. Provincial and local officials are appointed, while less powerful municipal councils are elected.
Governance lacks transparency and accountability.
Arbitrary arrest and detention occur, and prosecutors may extend administrative detention for up to a year. The Moroccan Human Rights Advisory Council proposed amendments to criminal procedure law that would ensure the presumption of innocence and reduce delays in trials. In August 1999, the government set up an arbitration committee to assess compensation to detention victims and families of missing persons. Amnesty International reports that about 20 political prisoners remain detained in Morocco. The Moroccan League for the Defense of Human Rights has publicly denounced deaths and torture in police custody, poor prison conditions, and failures to investigate the disappearance of some 300 Western Saharan activists during the last decade.