Morocco – annual report 2023

Details: Published: September 4, 2024

Strategic Framework

Legal Policy Starting Point

The Kingdom of Morocco is an important partner for the countries of the European Union on a political, economic and social level.

Since 2021, the party “National Rally of Independents” has been the strongest force in parliament, and its member Aziz Akhannouch was appointed Prime Minister by the King. The country faces various challenges, including high youth unemployment, the centralization of economic and political potential in the capital, droughts and floods. In addition, an earthquake in early September 2023 claimed many lives and severely damaged the infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.

Morocco continues to pursue the “National Initiative for Human Development” (INDH) promoted by the king. Among other things, this includes strengthening the social foundations of the state, reforming and modernizing the economy to create more jobs, especially for young people, and strengthening good governance in the administration. The focus is also on regionalization and decentralization of the administration.

The Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, who has been in office since October 2021, is continuing the reform of criminal law and criminal procedure law and is expressly prioritizing the introduction of alternatives to custodial sentences and the digitisation of the justice system. Reforms in family law are also being pursued

Concept

In 2023, IRZ and the Moroccan judiciary continued their bilateral cooperation. The most important partner institutions are the Ministry of Justice, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Penitentiary Service.

In line with the Moroccan government‘s reform plans, the focus of cooperation was on economic law issues, in particular competition protection and investment promotion and protection. Regional exchange formats were also held with other countries in the region (Tunisia, Algeria and Mauritania) in order to contribute to cooperation and stability in the region. In accordance with the Federal Foreign Office‘s new guideline on feminist foreign policy, IRZ‘s activities also take into account the protection of vulnerable groups in the justice system.

In addition to the focus on economic law, support for the reform of the criminal justice system and criminal legislation has been another pillar of IRZ’s activities in Morocco for several years now. In September 2023, a draft law was submitted to the Moroccan parliament, including the core issues addressed by IRZ, such as alternatives to custodial sentences and to pre-trial detention.

Focus of Activity in 2023

Civil and Commercial Law

“Protection of the economic system and competition” conference with the Public Prosecutors Office (in-person event)
Regional conference on “Optimizing the investment climate and promoting investment incentives and protection” in Tunis in cooperation with the German Federal Bar and the Ministries of Justice of Tunisia, Algeria and Mauritania (hybrid event)

Outlook

IRZ will support the reforms in the area of criminal law and the penal system as well as the further development of commercial law. The planned reform of the Moroccan family status law (Moudawana) could offer an opportunity for IRZ to become increasingly active in an advisory capacity in the area of civil law. Morocco‘s involvement in IRZ‘s regional activities is also planned in order to promote regional stability and rapprochement.