Morocco takes historic step toward abolishing the death penalty at UN

Morocco voted for the global abolition of the death penalty for the first time on Tuesday, at the Third Committee of the United Nations.

This step is seen as “the first toward the full abolition of the death penalty” and follows a promise made by Justice Minister Abdelatif Ouahbi to national networks advocating for abolition. Wahbi had previously defended human rights, public freedoms, and the right to life in the Moroccan Parliament.

This move aligns with the recommendations of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) over the years, while Morocco had consistently abstained from voting when the resolution was first presented to the UN in 2007.

The Moroccan Coalition Against the Death Penalty and other supporting networks had long urged Morocco to end its stance of abstention, particularly as the country has not executed anyone in over 30 years.

Morocco’s decision is a response to a longstanding call and sends reassuring signals to domestic human rights movements. It demonstrates that the goal of complete abolition is now closer.

Human rights activists present at the CNDH celebrated the moment, noting that the inclusion of the right to life in the constitution is a significant foundation for the ongoing societal debate on this issue.

After the vote, CNDH President Amina Bouayach described the vote as “the step and the cornerstone in the process of the final abolition of the death penalty and removing it from legislation,” adding that it was long anticipated.

She recognized the victory of the CNDH and civil society organizations, noting that “defending the right to life is a central defense of all other rights, which can only be exercised through this right, such as the right to housing, education, health, freedom of assembly, expression, and protest.”