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The Moroccan Parliament has officially approved the draft of the Criminal Procedure Code, marking a legislative step that observers consider pivotal in modernizing the legal framework and enhancing guarantees for criminal justice.
The approval followed a participatory institutional process that brought together the legislative and executive branches, alongside active engagement from civil society, professional bodies, and human rights organizations. This consensus is seen as a culmination of a multi-perspective dialogue on the mechanisms for developing criminal justice in Morocco.
The new legislative text aims to strike a balance between the demands of investigation and the guarantees of the right to defense. It includes the expansion of alternatives to pretrial detention, strengthening judicial oversight, and enhancing procedural protections for victims and witnesses. Additionally, it encompasses the development of modern technological tools in the criminal procedure.
Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi emphasized that the final approval embodies the state’s commitment to continue profound and comprehensive reforms in the judiciary. He stated that the adopted approach is rights-based, enhances public trust in the judiciary, and balances crime fighting with the preservation of individual dignity and protection of fundamental rights.
Ouahbi clarified that this law represents a key component of a broader vision for reforming the justice system, alongside reviewing the draft penal code and the law on alternative penalties. He added that the ministry will support the implementation of these texts through training and institutional measures to ensure effective execution and standardization of practices in the courts.
The Ministry of Justice recognized the contributions of all institutional and civil actors in shaping this reform and called for continued mobilization and cooperation to activate its provisions across various judicial institutions.
