Magharebia

An Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) study on the degree of political and civic freedom in 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region ranks Morocco third, with 5.20 points, behind Israel with 8.20 points and Lebanon with 6.55 points. The study placed Tunisia seventh and Algeria 13th. The criteria for the rankings included transparency in election laws, the right to form political parties, party presence of the opposition, transparency, participation of minorities, freedom of assembly, independence of the judicial system, freedom of the press, rule of law and religious freedom. (MAP)