Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi defended Morocco’s proposed criminal procedure reform on Tuesday, before the House of Representatives votes on the contentious Bill No. 03.23, which amends the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Framing the legislation as “the backbone of criminal justice in Morocco,” Ouahbi rejected claims that the reform was politically motivated, asserting instead that it was rooted in justice, not ideology.
Ouahbi explained that his ministry in 1384 suggested changes to the draft law, and gave the green light to many of them.
“We kept what made sense and improved the text,” Ouahbi said, “but some proposals just didn’t fit with the core principles or were too costly to put into action.”
One of the key updates in the new law is better protection for victims of human trafficking. This includes things like medical and psychological support, legal help, shelter, and even financial compensation.
Victims will also be given time to recover and think before any legal steps are taken, in line with Morocco’s international commitments.
The law adds guarantees for fair trials, making sure suspects’ silence isn’t taken as a confession, improving defense rights, and introducing more use of modern technology in court procedures.
And in a major change, prosecutors will no longer be allowed to sit in on court deliberations.
“This is more than just another law,” Ouahbi said. “It’s the backbone of criminal justice in Morocco. It helps both the state fight crime and ensures the rights of individuals are respected.”
Majority backs reform
Members of the ruling coalition in the House of Representatives have thrown their full support behind Ouahbi as he pushes forward with the reform.
The National Rally of Independents (RNI) praised Ouahbi’s openness to change, saying that over 150 proposed amendments were accepted, something they say shows a real effort to improve the justice system.
MPs from other major parties also welcomed the reform. They highlighted changes like giving suspects the right to contact a lawyer from the moment of arrest, simplifying criminal procedures, using more digital tools in law enforcement, and improving support for victims.
The majority also praised Morocco’s gradual move toward ending the death penalty and that the updated code will help make justice more modern, fair, and efficient while responding to changes in Moroccan society.
Opposition criticizes ambiguity
The opposition expressed sharp reservations over Article 3 of Bill No. 03.23, warning it could expose elected officials to politically motivated prosecutions, especially in an election year.
The Socialist Group described the article as legally vague and flagged concerns over its potential misuse, and criticized the law’s implicit distrust of civil society, warning against generalizing the actions of a few to discredit entire associations.
Similarly, Haraki MPs urged the need to distinguish between serious NGOs and those that exploit anti-corruption discourse for personal gain.
Other MPs, including those from the PPS and PJD, lamented that most of their proposed amendments, focused on fair trial rights, judicial transparency, and accountability, were rejected.
They called for a more robust legislative framework grounded in constitutional guarantees and human rights norms.
it’s clear that the government want to control everything in our community i afraid that will lead to a dictatorship