Moroccan lawyers protest new legal profession law outside parliament

With red armbands firmly in place, lawyers in Morocco have intensified their indefinite strike, gathering once again on Monday, July 6 outside the Parliament building in Rabat. The legal professionals remain steadfast in their opposition to the controversial draft law regulating their profession, which they argue undermines democratic principles.

The crowd of black-robed advocates has grown in numbers, with many voicing serious concerns over the bill’s potential to erode their professional independence. Critics highlight provisions that could weaken their autonomy from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Justice, particularly through changes to disciplinary procedures. Additionally, the proposed transfer of authority over lawyer training to the Ministry of Justice and the lowering of the age requirement for qualification exams have sparked widespread outrage.

Just days earlier, during a previous demonstration outside Parliament, legal representatives had issued a stern warning that “the fight has only just begun”, signaling their readiness to escalate the movement unless the bill is scrapped entirely.

Aziz Rouibah, the President of the Rabat Bar Association, emphasized the gravity of the situation in a recent statement. “Our very existence as a profession is under threat,” he declared, accusing unnamed actors of attempting to “symbolically dismantle” the legal profession. “Confronting this legislative assault is not just necessary—it is our moral duty,” he added, urging fellow lawyers to resist what he described as a “relentless attack” on their fundamental rights.

Mounir Belghiti, a member of the Rabat Bar Council, framed the ongoing protest as a final appeal to lawmakers. The duration of the mobilization, he noted, will hinge on parliamentary developments. He stressed that any future legislation must prioritize “the nation’s interests and long-term vision” rather than serving “personal grievances.”

Belghiti also framed the crisis as a crisis of confidence in the legal system. “When laws are tailored to specific situations instead of upholding universal principles, we erode the very foundation of democracy,” he cautioned. “Consensus and fair legislation must prevail.”

The debate over the draft law is set to continue this week in the Chamber of Advisors. If amendments are approved, the bill will be sent back to the Justice Commission of the Chamber of Representatives for further review.

In the meantime, Morocco’s court system remains severely disrupted by the strike. The indefinite work stoppage has left many litigants in limbo, particularly those in preventive detention, whose hearings have been postponed for nearly a month.

The Moroccan Bar Association (ABAM) serves as the umbrella organization for all bar associations across the Kingdom, uniting lawyers in their collective defense of the profession’s integrity.