Verdict Sparks Outrage in Moroccan Maid Torture Case

Found guilty of identity theft and assault, Kenza’s employer was sentenced to three years in prison, while her husband was sentenced to two years in prison and acquitted of the charge of identity theft. A judgment criticized by human rights activists.

"The sentence decided by the justice system in this case will not restore to the employee Kenza what she has lost, nor will it heal the psychological wounds she has suffered. [...] we are unfortunately still not able to properly assess the psychological damage in similar cases," deplored Fatiha Chtatou, lawyer and human rights activist with Hespress. According to her, "this case should actually have been reclassified as human trafficking, as it involves the unacceptable exploitation of a vulnerable victim, both morally and legally."

Chtatou added: "the appeal in this case concerning the domestic employee Kenza must be initiated by her defense in order to ensure a more severe sentence on appeal, and the victim needs psychological support throughout this period." Human rights activist Bouchra Abdou, president of the Association Tahadi for Equality and Citizenship (ATEC), agrees: "Justice is in principle independent, but we consider that this judgment against the aggressors of the employee Kenza is insufficient and not very deterrent." She also calls for the application of law 19.12 relating to the regulation of the working conditions and employment of domestic employees. Her association intends and does not rule out the possibility of joining the civil party to appeal the judgment.