Seven-Day Strike Declared by Moroccan Lawyers
In a significant move, the Moroccan Bar Association has announced a comprehensive cessation of professional services from Monday, June 15 to Sunday, June 21, 2026. This decision comes in response to statements and accusations made by the Minister of Justice, Abdelatif Wahbi, which the association claims undermine the legal profession and its institutions. The announcement was made through an official statement from the Bar Association's office, highlighting that Wahbi's remarks are part of a troubling pattern of behavior that has repeatedly crossed the line of respect owed to the legal profession and its practitioners.
The lawyers contend that Wahbi's latest comments mark a departure from the expected conduct of a responsible government official committed to collaboration and respect for those involved in the legal framework. Instead, they perceive him as allowing personal grievances and individual perspectives to overshadow his professional duties. The Bar Association expressed deep concern over what it termed "irresponsible" statements, accusing Wahbi of a systematic attempt to devalue the role of lawyers and tarnish their image in the public eye through misleading and unfounded allegations.
Moreover, the Bar Association emphasized that such accusations, made publicly in Parliament, disregard essential principles of respect and institutional integrity, deeming them unacceptable and provocative. This situation is particularly concerning as it distracts from the high-level advocacy efforts being undertaken by the Bar Association to uphold the profession's core values and principles.
In light of these developments, the lawyers have decided to formally address Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch regarding Wahbi's comments and have tasked the leadership of the Bar Association with communicating with the public to counter these misleading claims. The announcement of a complete suspension of professional services from June 15 to 21, 2026, also signals the possibility of further escalation in the form of additional protest actions if their concerns are not adequately addressed.
As reported by pjd.ma.
