Morocco’s Justice Minister Cracks Down on Hotels Demanding Marriage Certificates

Abdellatif Ouahbi advocates strengthening the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens against any abuse that could harm their interests and dignity. During a session of the House of Councillors on Tuesday, he opposed the requirements of hotels. Requiring a marriage certificate or any other document without legal mandate from Moroccan couples as a condition for assigning them a hotel room is an illegal practice and an invasion of privacy, he criticized. The minister also considers it discriminatory and unjustifiable by law for some hotels to require women to provide a certificate proving that they do not reside in the city where they wish to book a hotel room.

"I have been looking for 20 years for a basis for this practice, but I have found none," Ouahbi assured, issuing a warning to anyone who would demand unauthorized documents from citizens. They are liable to legal proceedings. The minister calls on all entities to respect the rights and privacy of individuals.