Latest news with #Arbib
Ya Biladi
01-07-2025
- Ya Biladi
Gang rape in El Attaouia defendants appeal for lighter sentences despite DNA evidence
Last April, three men convicted in the gang rape of a 13-year-old girl in El Attaouia, a town in El Kelaa des Sraghna Province, received sentences lighter than those prescribed by law. The Marrakech Court of Appeal sentenced them to 12, 10, and 8 years in prison, along with a total compensation of 200,000 dirhams for the victim. Said Fadili, head of the El Attaouia branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), confirmed to Yabiladi on Monday that the defendants have appealed to the Supreme Court, suspending the execution of the verdict until a final decision is rendered. Although the appeal court increased the prison terms by two years compared to the initial ruling in February, the sentences remain lenient in light of the severity of the crime, the legal provisions in place, and the aggravating circumstances. Under Moroccan law, indecent assault on a minor, particularly when committed against a person with a mental disability and resulting in childbirth, is punishable by 20 to 30 years in prison. «That is why, both at first instance and on appeal, we argued for the maximum penalty of 30 years, as provided by the Penal Code in such cases», Fadili stated. The association reiterated its call for «zero tolerance» for «crimes of rape, pedophilia, and the sexual exploitation of children», and emphasized the need for harsher sentences, especially since this case echoes that of a similar gang rape in Tiflet, where sentences were also revised on appeal. «The DNA Test Must Lead to Legal Filiation» Also contacted by Yabiladi, Omar Arbib, president of AMDH's Marrakech-Menara branch, said the NGO plans to return to court. «Yes, the appeal increased the prison terms, and the compensation for the victim was doubled. But the sentences are still below the legal minimum, especially considering the prosecution itself ordered a DNA test that linked the main accused to the newborn with 99.9999% certainty», he explained. Now that the case is headed to the Supreme Court, the association—acting as a civil party—insists the DNA test must not serve only to identify a main perpetrator. It must also secure the civil rights of the child, including a name and legal identity. «We will pursue legal action beyond the gang rape case to establish filiation. The outcome of this case should also recognize the rights of the mother, who is herself a minor. Meanwhile, the issue of DNA-based filiation remains unresolved in the debate around Morocco's family code reform», Arbib said. Also serving as AMDH vice president, Arbib expressed dismay at the defense strategy. «During the trial, the main accused was confronted with DNA results confirming the link. Yet even faced with 99.9999% certainty, he completely denied paternity», he said, adding that «this is about the child's best interest». The association believes this case should reignite a long-overdue debate around legal recognition of filiation for children born out of wedlock, especially in cases involving rape of minors. «We're facing a clash of perspectives—between a theological view that resists DNA-based filiation, legal recommendations focused on the child's best interest, and contradictory institutional positions. But at the heart of it all is the fate of thousands of children, who risk being treated as second-class citizens», Arbib stressed.
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Do not get involved': Arbib's warning to Australian Olympians about Enhanced Games
Australian Olympic Committee chief Mark Arbib has warned any Australian athletes who are considering a tilt at the Enhanced Games next year to think again, saying their involvement would not be supported or sanctioned. Arbib has taken a dim view of plans for the Enhanced Games to be launched next year in Las Vegas, including events in swimming, athletics, and weightlifting and with a format that will pit clean athletes against those who have taken performance-enhancing drugs under supervision for the same lucrative prize money. 'It's a dangerous and risky venture,' Arbib said on Friday. 'People need to remember drugs in sport are banned primarily for health reasons. We care about the welfare of the athletes. We care about the welfare of the community. Taking drugs can negatively impact your health, but it can also lead to death. 'So any event that is promoting the use of performance enhancing drugs, promoting the use of steroids, is not something that we would ever be associated with or sanction. 'It's the complete opposite of what the Olympic movement stands for. We stand for a level playing field. We stand for the principles of Olympism. And this venture, this commercial venture, is about making money and about undermining the global anti-drug enforcement strategies and networks that are in place.' Founded by Australian entrepreneur Aron D'Souza, the Enhanced Games plans to pay $US250,000 for each gold medal and $US1 million to anyone who breaks a world record in the 100m sprint or 50m freestyle swimming. Organisers say all athletes – clean or enhanced – will be paid appearance fees, which is where temptation might creep in for Olympians to consider entering, in the knowledge that they would not have to take drugs or otherwise risk their health or status. However, the concern among those across sporting bodies is that that could potentially legitimise what is one of the most contentious and controversial ventures ever seen in modern sport.
The Age
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘Do not get involved': Arbib's warning to Australian Olympians about Enhanced Games
Australian Olympic Committee chief Mark Arbib has warned any Australian athletes who are considering a tilt at the Enhanced Games next year to think again, saying their involvement would not be supported or sanctioned. Arbib has taken a dim view of plans for the Enhanced Games to be launched next year in Las Vegas, including events in swimming, athletics, and weightlifting and with a format that will pit clean athletes against those who have taken performance-enhancing drugs under supervision for the same lucrative prize money. 'It's a dangerous and risky venture,' Arbib said on Friday. 'People need to remember drugs in sport are banned primarily for health reasons. We care about the welfare of the athletes. We care about the welfare of the community. Taking drugs can negatively impact your health, but it can also lead to death. 'So any event that is promoting the use of performance enhancing drugs, promoting the use of steroids, is not something that we would ever be associated with or sanction. 'It's the complete opposite of what the Olympic movement stands for. We stand for a level playing field. We stand for the principles of Olympism. And this venture, this commercial venture, is about making money and about undermining the global anti-drug enforcement strategies and networks that are in place.' Founded by Australian entrepreneur Aron D'Souza, the Enhanced Games plans to pay $US250,000 for each gold medal and $US1 million to anyone who breaks a world record in the 100m sprint or 50m freestyle swimming. Organisers say all athletes – clean or enhanced – will be paid appearance fees, which is where temptation might creep in for Olympians to consider entering, in the knowledge that they would not have to take drugs or otherwise risk their health or status. However, the concern among those across sporting bodies is that that could potentially legitimise what is one of the most contentious and controversial ventures ever seen in modern sport.
Reuters
02-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Australia's new Olympic chief hopes to leverage Brisbane 2032 in battle for talent
MELBOURNE, April 2 (Reuters) - Incoming Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) chief Mark Arbib hopes the 2032 Brisbane Games will persuade the nation's talented young athletes to pursue medals over football careers. Australian Rules football and rugby league have long dominated the country's professional sports market, offering the kind of salaries and support to young athletes that Olympic sports struggle to match. The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here. Arbib, confirmed on Wednesday as the replacement for outgoing Chief Executive Matt Carroll, said the AOC needed to compete hard against the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Australian Football League (AFL) to lure talent. "I am a big fan of the NRL and a big fan of the AFL, I love those sports," he told reporters in Sydney. "They are absolute commercial giants, they are juggernauts. "And we need to ensure that we are on a playing field and that we are fighting for every dollar and for every athlete. "Because they are working very hard and they have been very successful in what they are doing. "For me, that is one of the greatest challenges ... fighting for athlete talent. "Brisbane is the best way for us to leverage that." A long-serving AOC board member and former federal sports minister, Arbib has held various roles in sports administration, including posts at the World Anti-Doping Agency and directorships at professional sports clubs such as NRL team South Sydney and A-League soccer team Sydney FC. One of the 53-year-old's priorities will be securing more government funding to support Olympic athletes and ensure Australia builds on its record haul of 18 gold medals at the Paris Games. With 13 of those golds won in women's events, Arbib said the AOC were concerned about potential Olympians being lost to the women's competitions set up by the AFL and NRL in the past decade. "Their women's competitions are extremely successful, so we are competing for talent now in the women's sports space," said Arbib. "And what I don't want to see is that impacting upon our results. "We need to ensure we are inspiring kids to join us to become Olympic swimmers, to become Olympic athletes - that is the dream."
The Guardian
02-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
AOC appoints Mark Arbib as CEO for run-in to 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games
Sports administrator and former Labor government minister Mark Arbib said he wants to 'inspire and advance' the country after he was appointed chief executive of the Australian Olympic Committee for the run-in to the 2032 Brisbane Games. The 53-year-old has served on the AOC's executive committee since 2016, and has been central in preparations for the 2032 Games as chair of the AOC's Brisbane Legacy and Impact Committee. He was previously a federal government sport minister and president of Athletics Australia for six years until 2021. Arbib said it was an honour to lead the Australian Olympic movement. 'The Olympics are the pinnacle of sport – both in Australia and across the globe,' he said. 'To be chosen as chief executive of the Australian Olympic Committee, with a home Games in 2032, is an incredible opportunity to harness the power of the rings to inspire and advance our nation.' AOC president Ian Chesterman said Arbib's experience runs 'deep and wide' and he has demonstrated a passion for athletes. 'Mark is highly skilled in the workings of the sports system having served as president of Athletics Australia for six years,' he said. 'Together with his experience in government, business, fundraising and philanthropy, I look forward to him bringing his unique and compelling skillset to the operations of the AOC.' From his experience as a trade unionist in the 1990s, Arbib rose quickly in the right faction of the NSW Labor party in the 2000s. In 2007 he was elected a NSW senator at the age of 35, and was the first Labor frontbencher to publicly back same-sex marriage in 2010. As a so-called 'kingmaker', he played a major role in the party's tumultuous period when in 2010 Kevin Rudd was replaced as prime minister by Julia Gillard. But the saga triggered a change in his career. Arbib sensationally retired from politics in 2012 to help the party 'heal' following the first of three leadership spills faced by Gillard, and he subsequently pursued opportunities in sport and media. 'I've seen first hand the extraordinary power of the Olympic movement to unite and transform lives,' Arbib said. 'I've also had the pleasure of working alongside our national federations over many years and know well the important role they play in delivering all the great benefits sport brings to our communities. 'I am committed to working tirelessly for athletes – and making sure they are at the heart of everything we do. There are no better role models in sport.' Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion Arbib replaces Matt Carroll, who chose to resign to provide his successor with enough time to prepare for the 2032 Brisbane Games. The new chief executive commences in the role on 5 May.
