Moroccan Islamist Party Slams Rights Council Over Inheritance Law Criticism

In a statement, the general secretariat of the Islamist party declared that it "follows with great concern the continuous efforts of certain parties to undermine the current inheritance system, which draws its reference from Islamic Sharia".

The PJD is surprised that these remarks come from "the president of a national institution, within which the law is supposed to be respected" and asks her to "stop undermining the religious constants of Moroccans". Amina Bouayach had declared on June 14, during the presentation of the results of a study on the inheritance system in Morocco, that "inequality in economic, social and cultural rights is a reality that cannot be denied or ignored. It is rather considered the common denominator in most regions of the world, where the phenomenon of the feminization of poverty is widespread, as a result of discrimination against women and their inferior status in societies".

During her intervention, the President of the CNDH clearly emphasized that "cultural reasons mainly related to customs and traditions", and other "legal" reasons, mainly due to the legislation in force, are at the root of this situation. But for the PJD, "reforming certain aspects of the injustice suffered by Moroccan women first requires respect for economic and social rights, and not by accusing religious texts of being responsible for the phenomenon of poverty affecting both women and men".

However, the party is aware that an evaluation of the Moudawana (Family Code) in force for 20 years is necessary, but far "from any hostile declarations to religious values".