Morocco - annual report 2017

Details: Published: June 1, 2018

Opening of the conference with the Moroccan Ministry of Justice on the Independence of the Judiciary in Rabat: Mohamed Aoujar, Minister of Justice (at the microphone); Abdelillah Bennani, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice, (on the right), Mustafa Fares, President of the High Judicial Council, (4 th from left)

Legal Policy Situation

Shortly after his enthronement, King Mohamed VI announced political reforms in Morocco, which he advanced more vigorously under the pressure of the “Arab Spring” in early 2011 and with the start of the protest movements. He was thus able to prevent Morocco from experiencing a protest movement and political upheaval comparable to that of other Arab countries, despite the existing massive socio-economic problems.

As a direct result of the protests, the constitution was revised and adopted by referendum in July 2011. The reformed constitution is intended to strengthen the power of the Prime Minister and the Parliament and to advance the independence of the judiciary and the protection of human rights.

The long-term objective of all reform efforts is to strengthen the rule of law. Here, the aim is to help citizens develop trust in the security agencies and the judiciary. In addition to security policy reforms, reforms in the judiciary, criminal prosecution, the reintegration of delinquent juveniles and the protection of citizens from unequal treatment are being promoted at the same time. State institutions shall base all their actions upon the norms of the rule of law.

Overall Concept

Following an initial successful cooperation in 2014, the IRZ, in coordination with the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection and the German Federal Foreign Office, decided to intensify and expand relations with Morocco in the field of the rule of law. Within this framework, the IRZ agreed on a cooperation project with the Moroccan partners, the Ministry of Justice and the Cour de Cassation for the period from 2015 to 2017. In addition, two further projects on the topics of forensic medicine and the penitentiary system commenced in 2017. The project on forensic medicine is being carried out in collaboration with the Charité Berlin; the project on the penitentiary system focusses on the training of prison guard officers and the resocialisation of prisoners in particular. Both cooperation projects span several years and are intended to run until 2019.

Foci of Activity 2017

Administration of Justice

Visit to Germany by the Minister of Justice on the topic of “Independence of the Judiciary”
Trip by a Moroccan delegation to Germany and conference on the topic of “Independence of the Judiciary” in Rabat

Forensic Medicine

Two trips by Moroccan delegations on the topic of the “Potential of forensic medicine for law professionals”
Two seminars on the topic of the “Potential of forensic medicine for members of the judiciary and the Public Prosecutor’s Office” in Rabat

Criminal Law and Penitentiary Law

Multilateral conference on the topic of “Fighting organised crime” in Rabat
Trip by a Moroccan delegation to Germany on the topic of “Fighting organised crime”
Trip by a Moroccan delegation to Germany on the topic of the “Penitentiary system and resocialisation”
Conference on the topic of the “Penitentiary system and resocialisation” in Rabat

Outlook

In 2018, the IRZ plans to continue its commitment in the fields specified above and intensify the collaboration with its Moroccan partners. Thus, the cooperation that has started in the fields of the penitentiary system and forensic medicine will grow deeper and the reform process that is under way will be supported.