Morocco Faces Scrutiny Over Unwritten Ban on Single Women in Hotels

"Since no law has been adopted that would restrict the freedom of movement or stay of women in hotels, any measure in this context is considered a violation of the Constitution, because the latter provides that the restriction of freedom of movement must be provided for by law, and not through a circular or individual decisions of hoteliers," the elected official said in a written question presented on behalf of the Socialist Group to the House of Representatives, as quoted by the newspaper Libération.

To support his arguments, Moulay Mehdi Al Fatmi cites Article 24 of the 2011 Constitution. This article states: "The freedom to circulate and settle in the national territory, to leave it and return to it, is guaranteed for all, in accordance with the law." According to him, this prohibition violates women’s rights, goes against the Constitution, affects the economy and undermines the principle of equality. The elected official therefore called on Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit to put an end to this discriminatory practice that has withstood the test of time to the great dismay of Moroccan women.