Morocco Strengthens the Position of the National Crime Observatory within the Criminal Procedure Law
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the integration of the National Crime Observatory into the new Criminal Procedure Law represents a significant step that positions Morocco among the leading countries adopting a modern approach to criminal governance based on scientific data.
The ministry explained that only 8% of national crime observatories worldwide enjoy explicit legislative recognition within criminal procedure laws, which gives Morocco a distinct international status.
The observatory, established under Decree No. 2-22-400 dated October 18, 2022, and Ministerial Decision No. 1501-22 dated October 19, 2022, has reached a new milestone following the issuance of the new law on September 8, 2025, which clearly defined its powers.
Article 51-3 states that the observatory contributes to formulating the general orientations of criminal policy through gathering and analyzing statistical data, studying crime-related phenomena, and proposing recommendations for crime prevention, with the possibility of requesting data from judicial, security, and administrative authorities, while respecting the confidentiality of investigations.
This institutional development reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to modernizing the criminal justice system in line with royal directives and the outcomes of the national dialogue on judicial reform, and aligns with United Nations recommendations regarding justice and criminal policy.
Thanks to this new legislative framework, the role of the observatory is no longer limited to data collection; it has become a key consultative actor in formulating crime prevention and combating strategies, while expanding its interventions to encompass various relevant institutions.
The observatory aims to develop new analytical and forecasting tools and enhance its institutional partnerships, supporting the establishment of a modern criminal policy based on scientific rigor and international standards.
