Morocco’s Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi defended a new bill to amend Morocco’s Criminal Procedure Law No. 22.01, originally enacted two decades ago, following the draft bill’s approval at a Government Council meeting on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Justice.
Law No. 03.23 would amend existing criminal procedure to provide stronger guarantees of a fair trial, to modernize criminal procedure mechanisms, and to establish more effective anti-crime measures.
The bill also would enhance protection of victims’ rights throughout legal proceedings, establish clear legal rules for sentencing, strengthen the protection of minors, and streamline pre-trial detention procedures.
“The proposed bill will contribute to achieving legal and judicial security in the Kingdom,” Ouahbi asserted.
The draft law approved by the Government Council demonstrates Morocco’s commitment to “enhancing the rule of law” and “safeguarding the Kingdom’s democratic advancements,” according to the Minister.
He asserted that adoption of the law represents not only a significant step towards modernizing the judicial system but also a clear demonstration of a strong political commitment to establishing a robust judicial framework that prioritizes the rights and security of citizens.
Reiterating the “vital importance” of this new law to the advancement of justice and the assurance of public safety, the Ministry of Justice encouraged “all relevant parties” to participate in the upcoming parliamentary deliberations on the bill to “further enhance” legal reforms “for the benefit of the Kingdom of Morocco.”