From 17 to 19 February 2020, Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) facilitated a visit of members of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco to The Hague, to meet and exchange with international organisations’ officials, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and relevant stakeholders on the importance of international justice as a fundamental tool to strengthen the rule of law, human rights and democracy.
International Criminal Justice in Morocco
The 2011 Constitution marked an unprecedented change for the Kingdom of Morocco by declaring the country’s adherence to universal human rights and the pre-eminence of international law over national legislation. It also stated in its Article 23 that “genocide and all other crimes against humanity, war crimes and all serious and systematic violations of human rights are punished by law”.
On 24th June 2016, the government introduced to the House of Representatives a bill to amend Morocco’s Criminal Code, which would notably introduce the definition of international crimes. The bill is currently being examined by the Justice, Legislation and Human Rights Committee.
Strengthening Accountability for International Crimes
During their visit, Hon. Amina Maelainine, Member of PGA’s Executive Committee, Hon. Mohammed Benjalloul, Hon. Fatima Zahra Barassat, and Hon. Zohour el Wahabi, all members of the Justice, Legislation and Human Rights Committee, had fruitful conversations with different representatives from key international institutions and civil society organisations on pressing human rights issues and judicial cooperation in cases of international crimes and serious human rights violations - both within and outside the Rome Statute system. The delegates were eager to learn what initiatives the Moroccan Parliament and Government could support or introduce, once the new Criminal Code will be adopted, to further strengthen the legal framework and the country’s leadership on international criminal justice and human rights issues.
The Criminal Code Bill that our committee is examining clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco to accountability for serious human rights violations and international crimes. As parliamentarians and members of PGA, we are determined to continue the work and promote the fight against impunity in Morocco and throughout the worldHon. Amina Maelainine, MP
Member of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco
Member of the Justice, Legislation and Human Rights Committee; member of PGA’s Executive Committee
Following their constructive meetings, the members of the delegation reiterated their commitment to human rights and the fight against impunity, and vowed to use their prerogatives in the Moroccan House of Representatives, regional parliamentary assemblies and as civil society leaders to promote accountability for international crimes and serious human rights violations.
