Moroccan Lawyers Extend Strike into Fourth Week, Hold Parliament Sit-In Over Draft Legal Profession Bill
BY Dr. Hana Saada
Rabat — Moroccan lawyers have escalated their nationwide protest against a draft law governing the legal profession, launching an open sit-in outside Parliament in Rabat as their strike entered its fourth consecutive week, disrupting judicial proceedings across the country.
The prolonged industrial action has led to widespread delays in court hearings and legal proceedings, with lawyers protesting a draft law that undermines the independence of the legal profession and was prepared without adequate consultation with professional bodies.
The sit-in brought together bar association presidents, members of regional bar councils and former bar leaders, alongside representatives of Moroccan human rights organisations, in a coordinated demonstration opposing the proposed legislation.
Among those participating was Abderrahmane Benamrou, who joined current and former leaders of Morocco’s legal profession in expressing opposition to the draft bill.
Addressing demonstrators, Hussein Zayani said the protest was intended to defend the constitutional principles governing the legal profession rather than to provoke confrontation.
He argued that the independence of lawyers is a fundamental guarantee of the right to a fair trial and criticised the legislative process, accusing the authorities of abandoning previous consultations in favour of advancing the bill without sufficient consensus.
Lawyers participating in the protest maintain that the proposed legislation could weaken institutional safeguards protecting the independence of the legal profession and adversely affect access to independent legal representation.
The strike has significantly disrupted the functioning of Morocco’s courts, with numerous hearings postponed and judicial procedures delayed as negotiations between professional organisations and the authorities remain unresolved.
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