Morocco lifts lid on past human rights abuses

In an unprecedented truth-seeking process in the Arab world, Morocco tried to blot out stains of past human rights abuses on Tuesday with public testimony about tortures and disappearances in the Muslim kingdom.

The hearings were broadcast live on national radio and television - another first - and held by a state body empowered to look into widespread abuses committed over a period of 43 years, from independence from France in 1956 to 1999.

The Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) was tasked with investigating and documenting "grave" human rights abuses, notably during the 1960s and 1970s, a period under the rule of the late King Hassan known in Morocco as "the years of lead".

However, to avoid reviving old tensions there was no naming of names as participants were not allowed to identify individuals responsible for the violations.

Some of the torturers are believed to still hold high positions, particularly in the military.