Morocco Reports Sharp Decline in Land Grabbing Cases, Justice Minister Says

According to the Minister of Justice, "the measures taken to fight this scourge are reassuring and have allowed for a strong reduction in this phenomenon in recent years".

"I believe there has been a great evolution in the reduction of this phenomenon which, at least, is no longer expanding," the minister added, noting that the Moroccan justice system is handling, according to figures as of March 30, 2021, some 42 cases of land grabbing, including 17 in the investigation phase, 3 in first instance judgment, 14 in appeal and 8 in cassation.

At the origin of this achievement, the minister points to the multi-sector commission to fight land grabbing, which is taking action on the legislative and organizational fronts, under the coordination of the Ministry of Justice.

On the legislative front, reforms have been made to the Real Rights Code, the Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure as well as the Dahir of Obligations and Contracts, the minister Mohamed Benabdelkader said, citing on the organizational front, the comprehensive inventory operation of the 4,073 real estate properties registered with the land registry, but abandoned.