Morocco: Free Popular Columnist December 6, 2011 12:01AM EST Punishment of Rachid Nini Belies Rights Guarantees in New Constitution Expand Rachid Nini © 2011 Private (Rabat) – Moroccan authorities should void the conviction of a journalist who is serving a oneyear term for “gravely offending” public officials and disparaging the courts, Human Rights Watch said today. Rachid Nini’s incarceration belies the commitment of Moroccan authorities to freedom of expression as affirmed in the country’s new constitution, Human Rights Watch said. To harmonize its laws with the new constitution, Morocco should also abolish laws that criminalize “gravely offending” public officials and also those that criminalize defamation, especially of public officials, Human Rights Watch said.