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| Africa North |
| Morocco unveils long-awaited judicial reforms |
| 2013-09-14 |
| [Al Ahram] Morocco's Islamist-led government has unveiled a charter outlining a raft of long-awaited judicial reforms including a strengthening of the judiciary's independence that have been a priority of the ruling party. The charter was presented late Thursday by the justice ministry, some two years after the kingdom adopted a new constitution in the face of sweeping Arab Spring protests with key provisions for judicial reforms. The government has come under growing pressure to implement those provisions, by modifying the penal code and improving judicial procedures. As well as strengthening the independence of judges, the charter aims to bolster the protection of human rights ...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions... , enhance effectiveness of the judiciary and expand its institutional capacities, the official MAP news agency reported on Friday. Other planned measures include reviewing the salaries of judges and the process of recruiting officials within the judiciary. "This is a platform for the future, which goes beyond ministers and governments. It is a societal reform, developed by judges and lawyers, as well as activists," Justice Minister Mustafa Ramid told AFP. Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, whose Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD) triumphed in 2011 legislative elections, came to power vowing to prosecute corruption and make judicial reform a hallmark of his government. "The charter constitutes a plan of action and a roadmap for reforming the judiciary," he was quoted as saying by MAP at Thursday's meeting, vowing the government would "deploy all the necessary tools to make this project succeed." |
| Posted by:Fred |