Justice Minister: Alternative Sanctions a Qualitative Step in Justice Reform and Full Preparedness to Activate Law 43.22
Justice Minister Abdellatif Wahbi stated today, Wednesday, in the city of Harhoura, that the issuance of Law No. 43.22 concerning alternative sanctions came after a long process of consultation and intense discussions, particularly with the judiciary, public prosecution, and various stakeholders. He noted that this law represents a qualitative step in the development of the Moroccan legal system.
Wahbi explained during the opening of two study days organized by the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in partnership with the Council of Europe and in cooperation with the General Delegation for Prison Administration, that his ministry is ready to provide the necessary tools to ensure the successful implementation of this law, urging judges to adopt innovation and seek alternative solutions to custodial sentences.
The minister emphasized the importance of exploring new punitive mechanisms that align with modern legislative trends, calling for boldness to refine legal texts in a way that serves justice and achieves efficiency.
Mohamed Saleh Tamk, the General Delegate for Prison Administration and Reintegration, highlighted that alternative sanctions have become a central element in modern criminal policy, emphasizing that they do not signify impunity but rather represent corrective measures aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration in a humane and flexible manner.
Tamk clarified that the new law holds the General Delegation responsible for monitoring the implementation of alternative sanctions, necessitating the issuance of a regulatory text that outlines execution procedures and provides the required resources. He also revealed the preparation of a comprehensive file to determine the essential initial needs to activate the law’s provisions.
He acknowledged that the success of this initiative relies on effective coordination among different participants and recommended a gradual approach that assesses risks and draws on international experiences, emphasizing the need for continuous tracking and evaluation to correct the course and ensure proper implementation.
He expressed the General Delegation’s commitment to working with partners to provide all necessary resources and mobilize efforts for the successful implementation of this law, in accordance with the royal vision that places special importance on the social and humanitarian dimensions of justice.
The meeting was attended by experts from the Council of Europe, representatives from the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Supreme Judicial Council, and the Ministries of Justice and Interior, alongside the General Delegation for Prison Administration. The sessions discussed topics such as the national and comparative legal framework for custodial sanctions and the roles of judicial and administrative bodies in implementing Law No. 43.22.
The two meetings aimed to inform public prosecutors and judges of the new law’s significance, familiarize them with its types and implementation methods, and benefit from the experiences of European countries, as well as enhance coordination among the various entities involved in implementing alternative sanctions.
The introductory paper confirmed that the meetings are part of the efforts of the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor’s Office to keep pace with legislative developments and to enhance judges’ competencies in preparation for the activation of the law, which will come into effect on August 22, 2025.
