Morocco Considers Reforms to Family Code After 15-Year Review

On the occasion of the 3rd Forum of Moroccan Expatriate Lawyers, the Secretary General of the Ministry, Abdelilah Lahkim Bennani, read on behalf of the Minister an address, at the opening of a Conference on "The Family Code in the light of Comparative Law and International Conventions". This evaluation of the Moudawana was discussed and explained there.

It will serve to identify the shortcomings of the Code and adapt it to the Kingdom’s achievements in the field of human rights and the new political, social and economic situation in Morocco. It should highlight the provisions that require revision and amendment.

According to Aujjar, the actors of the judicial system, the ulemas and the components of civil society will be involved. It is therefore on the basis of a participatory and broad consultation approach that this evaluation will be carried out. The objective being an optimal adjustment of the Family Code.

For Mohamed Aujjar, it is time to revise some of the articles because practical experience would have highlighted this need. The shortcomings in the implementation of the Code are therefore being pointed out. Aujjar also stresses that the 2011 Constitution and Morocco’s lifting of reservations on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) are another reason to adapt the Moudawana to the current Moroccan situation.