Lawyers in Marrakech Rally Against Proposed Legislation
On Thursday, lawyers from the Marrakech Bar Association staged a significant protest in front of the Marrakech Court of Appeal, expressing their strong opposition to the provisions contained in the new legal profession bill. They argue that this legislation threatens the independence of their profession and undermines its historical achievements. This demonstration coincided with a nationwide strike affecting various courts across Morocco, as lawyers protested against the draft law prepared by the Ministry of Justice.
The Marrakech Bar Association, which also includes the region of Ouarzazate, organized a two-hour protest from 11 AM to 1 PM, in accordance with a resolution from the Bar Council detailed in their latest announcement. In addition, the association decided to maintain a complete halt on providing professional services and suspend the operation of the legal aid system as part of their ongoing struggle against the contents of the proposed law.
Defending Justice and Legal Independence
During the protest, the president of the Marrakech Bar, Suleiman Amrani, delivered a speech to hundreds of lawyers clad in their black robes, emphasizing that their demonstration represents not merely a rejection of a legal text but a robust defense of the message of justice and the protection of the defense institution. He stated, “We stand today in defense of justice, to safeguard the defense institution, and to protect a fundamental pillar of justice in our nation.” Amrani stressed that the independence of the legal profession is not a privilege or a professional gain, but rather an inherent right of citizens and a constitutional guarantee for every litigant.
The president elaborated that any legislation that undermines the independence of the legal profession, infringes upon the immunity of the defense, or restricts the self-regulation of the profession targets not just lawyers but attacks one of the cornerstones of the constitutional framework of the justice system. He recalled the historical roles played by Moroccan lawyers in resisting colonialism, defending freedoms, and contributing to the construction of a modern state, asserting that the independence of the profession resulted from long struggles and significant sacrifices.
Furthermore, the Marrakech Bar president declared that lawyers do not oppose reform or the modernization of their profession; instead, they welcome any initiatives aimed at its development and ethical enhancement. However, they firmly reject the idea of the proposed law serving as a means to weaken the profession or impose critical choices without genuine consensus and consultation with professional bodies. He urged the government to adopt a participatory approach based on dialogue and mutual respect, emphasizing that the strength of the state lies in protecting independent institutions and enhancing their roles rather than restricting them.
Throughout the protest, lawyers chanted slogans affirming their professional unity and commitment to maintaining the independence of their profession, announcing their intention to continue implementing the forms of activism determined by the Bar Council in the upcoming period. The protesters affirmed that defending the immunity and independence of the legal profession remains a vital part of advocating for the rights of litigants and ensuring fair trial guarantees, reiterating their resolve to continue mobilizing until their demands are met and the provisions of the proposed law are reviewed.
As reported by trendnews.ma.
