Coalition condemns legislative rollback and calls for justice reforms as Moroccan lawyers protest to protect citizen rights and legal independence.
In response to the ongoing national strike by Moroccan lawyers, a coalition of 20 human rights organizations has issued a strong statement condemning the “legislative regression” orchestrated by the Moroccan government. Expressing unwavering solidarity with the legal professionals’ protests, the Moroccan Coalition of Human Rights Organizations stressed the need for a united front to safeguard the core rights of citizens and uphold the independence of the legal profession.
Since November 1, lawyers across Morocco have launched an open-ended strike, demanding the government repeal recently introduced bills they argue will significantly undermine their profession and citizens’ access to justice. This strike has resulted in a near-total paralysis of the country’s court system.
In a statement issued by the coalition, representing Morocco’s largest alliance of human rights groups, the organizations voiced “serious concern” over the recent legal amendments, which they argue pose a direct threat to both the profession and the rights of defendants. According to the coalition, the legal community’s collective stand transcends self-interest, placing “the welfare of citizens at the heart of this protest,” and opposing changes that “erode the fundamental rights of defendants and disturb justice guarantees.”
The coalition has called on the Moroccan government to adopt a collaborative approach when drafting legislation that impacts the legal field. Stressing the importance of inclusive policymaking, they insisted on “the need for a serious and responsible dialogue with the professional organizations of lawyers” over the proposed civil procedure bill. The coalition emphasized that mutually agreeable solutions are crucial for the fair administration of justice and the preservation of citizens’ rights.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), one of the leading human rights organizations, issued a statement praising the lawyers’ “valiant struggle” to defend their rights, preserve their dignity, and protect the rights of citizenship. AMDH expressed its unconditional solidarity with the lawyers and voiced support for the Moroccan Bar Association’s difficult but necessary decision to halt all legal representation services.
Sources
20 Rights Organizations Unite Against Moroccan Government Amid National Lawyers’ Strike
