Abdul Latif Wahbi: “Online begging is no different from begging on the street and is punishable by law”
Express TV: Mustafa Al-Filali
The Minister of Justice, Abdul Latif Wahbi, stated that the phenomenon of begging in Morocco remains a social and legal challenge, noting that the number of beggars in the country reached about 200,000 in 2007, while 6,128 cases related to begging were recorded in 2020, resulting in convictions for 6,525 individuals.
Wahbi made this statement during a public session in the House of Representatives on Monday, in response to a parliamentary question regarding the phenomenon of begging through social media. He clarified that this type of begging is essentially no different from street begging and is considered an act punishable by law.
He added that “digital begging” is often linked to fraud, involving the presentation of false or misleading information to elicit sympathy from followers and obtain money unlawfully. He emphasized that “any act of this nature outside the framework of public charitable giving is considered a crime.”
Wahbi also pointed out that some forms of begging have taken on indirect shapes, saying, “Some individuals beg through political and human rights speeches,” referring to the use of certain discourses to gain support or assistance in ways that are not based on real facts.
In response to another question regarding the protection of children’s rights, the Minister of Justice explained that a framework law specifically for childhood has been under discussion for some time. The Ministries of Justice, Solidarity, Family, and Youth have submitted separate proposals, necessitating governmental arbitration to determine the competent authority.
Wahbi confirmed that the Ministry of Justice ultimately prepared a draft law to establish a national agency for child protection, highlighting that this text has been approved by the government council and is on its way to the Justice and Legislation Committee in the House of Representatives for discussion.
Regarding the infrastructure of courts, Wahbi reiterated the importance of establishing specialized courts for family matters, such as marriage, divorce, and violence against women and children. He explained that the ministry is currently working on numerous projects, including 77 new buildings under construction, 18 projects ready for inauguration, 26 projects underway, in addition to 31 projects in the study phase. He stressed that the biggest challenge lies not in construction but in providing sufficient human resources to operate these courts effectively.
