Moroccan lawyers stage ongoing protest against controversial legal reform outside Parliament

Clad in striking red armbands, Moroccan lawyers have intensified their open-ended strike with a persistent demonstration outside Parliament in Rabat. For days, the legal community has mobilized relentlessly, voicing strong opposition to what they describe as a dangerous erosion of democratic principles and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the contested draft law regulating their profession.

Legal professionals denounce erosion of independence and regulatory control

The sea of black robes filling the streets of Rabat reflects the deep concern among lawyers over key provisions in the proposed legislation. They argue that the law undermines their professional autonomy, particularly by granting excessive influence to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Justice. Specific grievances include the transfer of disciplinary authority to the Ministry of Justice and the introduction of contentious changes to professional access requirements—most notably, lowering the age threshold for eligibility to take the qualification examination.

Growing tensions escalate with renewed parliamentary engagement

Last Thursday’s gathering before Parliament marked a turning point, as legal representatives escalated their rhetoric, declaring that the fight is only beginning. They have warned authorities that the strike will intensify unless the draft law is permanently shelved.

Aziz Rouibah, Bâtonnier of Rabat, addressed reporters with urgency, stating, “Our very existence as a profession is under threat.” He accused certain factions of attempting to symbolically dismantle the legal profession through this legislative offensive. “It is our moral duty to resist this assault on our fundamental rights and professional integrity,” he emphasized.

Legal leaders call for principled reform aligned with national interest

Me Mounir Belghiti, a prominent member of the Rabat Bar Council, framed the protest as a final plea to lawmakers. He urged that any future legislation must reflect the will of the nation and serve the greater public good, rather than being driven by personal vendettas. He cautioned that the current impasse stems from a crisis of trust in governance, warning, “If we allow laws tailored to specific situations to replace consensus-based legislation, we erode a cornerstone of democracy.”

Parliamentary process enters critical phase as strike disrupts justice system

Debates on the draft law are scheduled to resume this week in the Chamber of Counsellors. Should amendments be approved, the text will return to the Justice Commission of the Chamber of Representatives for further review. Meanwhile, Morocco’s courts remain severely disrupted by the lawyers’ strike, leaving countless litigants in limbo—especially those in pre-trial detention, whose hearings have been postponed for nearly a month.

The Moroccan Association of Bar Associations (ABAM) serves as the unified voice of the Kingdom’s legal professionals, representing all local bar associations nationwide.