Moroccan NGOs Sound Alarm over Legal Reforms, Threaten UN Action

Morocco World

2 days ago

A coalition of Moroccan civil society organizations has raised alarm over proposed legal amendments that they say would weaken their role in fighting corruption and defending public funds. In response, the coalition has announced plans to escalate the issue to the United Nations.
At a press conference held Wednesday at the headquarters of Transparency Maroc, the group denounced two articles — Article 3 and Article 7 — of a draft reform to the Code of Criminal Procedure. The changes, already approved by the first chamber of Parliament– House of Representatives– would restrict NGOs from filing legal complaints in financial crime cases and set new conditions for launching public legal actions in cases involving public funds.
The associations warned that these measures amount to a serious threat to democratic transparency and public accountability. They announced a sit-in protest to be held in front of Parliament on July 1st and vowed to bring the matter before the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) if the second chamber — the House of Councillors – does not amend the proposed law.
'This is a dangerous regression,' said Ahmed Bernoussi, deputy secretary general of Transparency Maroc. 'It aims to neutralize the essential role civil society plays in fighting impunity and protecting public resources.'
Another prominent voice, Abdelilah Benabdeslam, coordinator of the Moroccan Collective of Human Rights Organisations, said they are preparing a formal complaint to the UNODC, the body that oversees the UN Convention against Corruption, ratified by Morocco. 'If all national options are exhausted, we will escalate it to the UN's regional office for the Middle East and North Africa,' he said.
The group also warned of broader risks if the amendments pass—including damage to Morocco's international reputation, reduced investor confidence, and rising unemployment. In the meantime, they are urging members of the second chamber of Parliament to reject the bill and are appealing to 'responsible voices within the majority' to intervene.
At the heart of the controversy are Articles 3 and 7 of the proposed reform. Article 3 introduces strict conditions for initiating legal action in cases involving public funds—effectively limiting the ability of prosecutors to investigate financial crimes unless referrals come from high-level institutions like the court of auditors.
Article 7 imposes new hurdles for associations, requiring them to meet restrictive criteria before they can act as civil parties in corruption cases. Critics say this would block NGOs from filing complaints in the public interest, stripping them of a crucial oversight role they have long played in exposing embezzlement and illicit enrichment.
The Moroccan government insists that the proposed reforms are designed simply to streamline and clarify judicial procedures, specifically by centralizing the authority to initiate corruption investigations within designated official bodies like the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation and the Court of Auditors.
In defence of the proposal, Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi explained that the aim is not to sideline civil society, but to restore legal order and prevent misuse of the justice system by ensuring that legal action must be based on a credible foundation.
'This is not a ban, it's a regulation,' said Ouahbi to Parliament. '[This] helps strengthen the effectiveness of public action and avoid reckless prosecutions.'
NGOs strongly disagree, asserting that the true aim is to silence civil society and diminish oversight. They argue the restrictions effectively shield public officials from accountability and mark a worrying move away from transparency.
The new legal changes risk going against Morocco's commitment to strengthen public oversight and support the role of civil society in fighting corruption—commitments it adopted in 2007 by ratifying the United Nations Convention against Corruption.