Human Rights in Morocco

Human Rights in  Morocco

Morocco’s human rights record is mixed. On the positive side of the ledger, 

Morocco’s most recent elections—for the lower chamber of parliament in September 2002 and 

for local government councils in September 2003—were widely regarded as free and fair. 

Freedom of the press is considerable, although many journalists practice self-censorship and 

discussion of the monarchy is not permitted. Freedom of religion is generally observed, with 

some limitations. Although Islam is the official state religion, Moroccans are permitted to 

practice other faiths. However, restrictions apply to Christian proselytizing and political 

activities under the rubric of Islam. On the negative side, in view of the dominant role of the king 

in politics, Moroccans lack the ability to change their government. Following the Islamist 

terrorist attack in Casablanca in May 2003, human rights groups alleged that Morocco mistreated 

and even tortured detainees. Other human rights issues include violence and discrimination 

against women, child labor, and human trafficking. In 2005 the Moroccan parliament took steps 

to improve the status of women and children,

CODE OF MOROCCO FAMILY "moudawana" 

A significant reform Status of Women: 

A new family code - Mudawana - was unanimously adopted by the Moroccan Parliament in February 2004 The new law is a landmark reform of the status of Moroccan women, as puts it on a par with the. man, on topics such as marriage and children. 

The new code places the family under the joint responsibility of husband and wife instead of the husband only, and restrains the subjugation of women in the custody of a male family member. 

  MAIN CHANGES THE FAMILY CODE: 

• The minimum age for marriage for a woman was 18 years; 
• Sharing properties between married couples; 
• Polygamy is strictly controlled; 
• Repudiation and divorce can be done on the initiative of the woman and are subject to a supervision judiciary; 
• Opportunity for women to gain custody of children; 
• Increase inheritance rights for women; 
• Recognition of children born out of wedlock and to facilitate the procedure of proof of paternity; 
• Removal of the Family Code of the right to degrading lyrics towards women; 
• Provisions on children's rights in accordance with international instruments ratified by Morocco. 

Movement of Moroccan Women 

Movement of Moroccan Women is committed since the late 1980s to combat violence against women, discrimination, under-representation of women in government and economic sector and illiteracy. Salient code on personal status reforms came after years of recommendations for women's rights to equality topics covering marriage and divorce. 

See major advances in women's rights in Morocco since 2002 ... 

Obstacles Remain ... 

Despite legislation that has improved the status of women, procedural obstacles aupr `s courts in cases involving the rights of women often hinder the effective implementation of the new Family Code. 

Cultural norms, tradition, the high rate of illiteracy, lack of knowledge about their rights prevent women, in many cases, to invoke their rights or refer the crimes committed against them such as rape, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, etc..