A Moroccan victims’ rights group on Thursday criticized the handling of sexual violence cases by the judiciary, citing what it described as gaps between advanced legal provisions and court rulings that fail to reflect the gravity of the offenses.
Speaking at a conference in Rabat, the Moroccan Association for Victims’ Rights said sentences handed down in some sexual assault cases involving women and children were disproportionate to the seriousness of the crimes. The group also raised concerns over the enforcement of court decisions, saying compensation awarded to victims is often not paid.
Aicha El Kellaâ, the association’s president, said Morocco’s legislation largely aligns with international conventions, but judges continue to issue lenient rulings in cases involving serious charges. She questioned inconsistencies between first instance and appeal court judgments and called for specialized judges and trained personnel to handle sexual violence cases.
The group said victims face severe challenges before, during and after trials, including difficulties reintegrating into society. Fatima Zahra Chaoui, the association’s vice president, said the judiciary bears a societal responsibility to protect victims and warned that judicial shortcomings undermine public trust and harm the state as a whole.
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