The Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, presented on January 22, 2025 a bill aimed at modernizing criminal procedure in Morocco. This text, aligned with the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the country’s international commitments, strengthens citizens’ rights, improves judicial efficiency and fights crime in a more transparent and equitable manner.
During his presentation, Abdellatif Ouahbi insisted on the historical significance of this reform. He clarified: “ This project is not limited to a simple legislative reform. It embodies our nation’s firm desire to build a fair, efficient and humane justice system, which protects the rights of all while combating crime while respecting the fundamental values of dignity and justice. ».
The project provides for several measures aimed at strengthening the guarantees of a fair trial. One of the main innovations is the introduction of the compulsory presence of a lawyer from the first hour of police custody. In addition, interrogations will now be recorded audiovisually, ensuring transparency. Decisions on pre-trial detention will also be subject to rigorous criteria, in order to ensure their validity and avoid abuse.
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The bill also places emphasis on the protection of victims and minors, introducing specific measures to ensure their best interests are respected at each stage of the procedure. Social and legal support will be put in place to support victims, in particular through specialized services offering psychological and legal help.
To modernize the fight against crime, the text provides for the increased use of modern technologies, such as monitoring financial flows and the infiltration of organized criminal networks. It also strengthens international judicial cooperation to tackle transnational crime, enabling more effective exchanges of information and joint actions.
-Finally, the project aims to simplify and speed up legal procedures. It expands the scope of offenses that can be subject to conciliation procedures and introduces more digital tools to reduce processing times and improve the efficiency of legal proceedings.
In conclusion, the minister affirmed that this project represents a major turning point in the modernization of the Moroccan judicial system. “ It embodies an ambitious vision for modern justice, closer to citizens and capable of protecting the most vulnerable. “, he said. This reform marks a strong commitment to justice that is fairer and accessible to all.
Morocco
