Moroccan Lawyers Continue Indefinite Strike Against Controversial Law
On September 10, 2026, the National Association of Bar Associations of Morocco (ABM) unanimously decided to prolong their indefinite strike, which has been in effect for the past four months. This decision, made during a meeting held in Rabat, centers around their opposition to a controversial law regarding the organization of the legal profession. The ABM has also scheduled another executive bureau meeting for September 20 to assess the situation and determine the next steps in their protest movement.
During a press conference, ABM President Lahcen Ziani highlighted the reasons behind the strike, asserting that the current government, particularly the overseeing ministry, has undermined the independence of lawyers. Ziani pointed to the severe consequences this has had on citizens, such as the paralysis of the courts and the ongoing detention of several individuals awaiting trials that have been delayed. He accused the government of utilizing deceptive tactics to push through its legal project.
Aziz Rouibah, the Bar Association president of Rabat, echoed these sentiments, urging the public to recognize that it is the government that has instigated this crisis. He reiterated the ABM's commitment to the foundational values of the nation, emphasizing that the three pillars—God, the Homeland, and the King—are non-negotiable and must not be compromised. This statement was a clear reference to external parties attempting to exploit the ongoing legal profession crisis for ulterior motives.
Ziani expressed his pessimism about reaching a resolution with the current government, expressing hope for a breakthrough with the newly elected government after the elections scheduled for September 23. The ABM represents all 17 bar associations across Morocco, indicating widespread discontent within the legal community.
In response to a faction of lawyers in Casablanca who resumed work in the courts this week, the ABM dismissed any notions of division within the profession. Ziani characterized these departures as isolated incidents of individuals rather than a collective disbandment. He acknowledged, however, that the extended strike has imposed significant moral and material burdens on the members of the ABM, who are steadfast in their fight for the dignity of their profession.
By extending their indefinite strike, the lawyers are maintaining their confrontation with the government over the law that governs their profession. This ongoing standoff not only prolongs the dysfunction within the courts but also exacerbates the plight of citizens seeking legal recourse. The ABM is calling on the public to understand the motives behind this struggle, which it implies may only find resolution under a forthcoming government.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
