Lawyers' Strike Continues Despite Internal Division
The head of the Casablanca Bar Association, Mohamed Hissi, has reiterated that lawyers across Morocco should persist with their nationwide strike, even after a photograph surfaced showing several lawyers, including former Justice Minister Mustapha Ramid, that seemed to indicate a shift toward resuming legal services. Hissi's firm stance comes in the wake of a gathering at the Casablanca Court of Appeal on September 1, where Ramid was seen alongside former bar chiefs Mohamed Chehbi and Abdellah Drimich, as well as other notable members of the Casablanca Bar Council. This assembly appeared to signal a potential openness to returning to work, raising concerns within the association about maintaining unity among its members.
In an interview with Hespress AR, Hissi stated that the Casablanca Bar Association has instructed its members to continue their suspension of professional services until a forthcoming meeting of the Association of Bar Associations of Morocco, scheduled for September 10. During this meeting, legal professionals are expected to assess and revisit the decisions made by their governing body regarding the ongoing strike. Last week, the Association of Bar Associations of Morocco had resolved to uphold its strike and boycott of judicial duties, despite the promulgation of Law No. 66.23, which regulates the legal profession and was officially published in Morocco’s gazette.
Divisions and Responsibilities Within the Legal Community
Sources within the association's bureau indicated that the current decision to strike is temporary and will be reviewed at the upcoming meeting. The recent gathering at the Casablanca Court of Appeal included prominent lawyers such as Noumane Seddik, Fatima Zahra El Ibrahimi, and Khalid Dahbi, among others, who deliberated on the potential resumption of work. This decision sparked tension within the Casablanca Bar Association, as Hissi asserted that while individual lawyers retain the right to exercise their professional duties, the collective stance of the association remains steadfast. He emphasized that anyone who chooses to act outside of the collective decision will need to accept their historical responsibility. Hissi reiterated, “Everyone remains committed to the decision of the association’s bureau.”
Addressing the impact of Ramid's opposition to the strike, Hissi maintained that all members of the association should be treated equally, regardless of their previous positions or political affiliations. He affirmed that the ongoing work stoppage is still in effect and that all lawyers must be accountable for their decisions. Hissi called for solidarity among Casablanca's lawyers, urging them to support the Association of Bar Associations of Morocco in its efforts to protect the integrity of the legal profession. He stated, “The legal profession's defense of its interests and core principles will continue by all legitimate means,” highlighting the unprecedented unity displayed by lawyers during their protests against the new law, which many argue undermines the independence of the legal profession.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
