The Bureau of the Moroccan Association of Bar Associations issued an official statement, announcing the continuation of the complete and ongoing cessation of professional services until further notice, in light of the ongoing dispute regarding the draft law on the legal profession.
The statement followed an open meeting held by the Association’s Bureau at its headquarters in Rabat, dedicated to evaluating the legislative process and the results of the strike executed by lawyers throughout last week.
Widespread Success of the Strike
The Bureau of the Association described the complete work cessation as a “great success,” pointing to the “spontaneous and wide engagement” of all female and male lawyers from various institutions across the kingdom.
It noted that the high response rate “clearly illustrated the unity of the professional body and its steadfast commitment to defending the independence of the profession, the dignity of the legal profession, and its institutions.”
Harsh Criticism of the Minister of Justice
The statement critically addressed the Minister of Justice’s positions within the parliament and before the Justice and Legislation Committee, accusing him of “raising marginal issues far removed from the discussions related to the professional law,” and “presenting distorted issues with non-objective perspectives,” which led to a “deliberate distortion of the discussion” away from the core demands regarding the profession’s immunity, independence, and self-regulation of the associations.
The Bureau of the Association also expressed “lack of reassurance” regarding the project’s path, due to what it described as the “incomprehensible and irresponsible circumvention by the Minister of Justice” of the agreements made with the Prime Minister, along with the amendments proposed by the majority components before the House of Representatives.
Demands and Commendation The Bureau of the Association called on the Prime Minister to “ensure the announced agreements.” In contrast, the statement praised the stance of the members of the House of Councillors in the Justice and Legislation Committee, describing it as “sophisticated responsiveness” and “understanding of the issues of female and male lawyers,” and their earnest attempts to reach amendments that “uphold the fundamental principles of the legal profession and the self-regulation of the associations.”
Call to Continue and Mobilize
The Bureau of the Association called on all female and male lawyers to continue the complete cessation of professional services until further notice. The Bureau’s meeting remained open, with all its members stationed in Rabat throughout the upcoming Monday and Tuesday, “to monitor developments, evaluate updates, and prepare to announce all appropriate protest steps required by the phase.”
