Scholars Envision the Future of Morocco's Moudawana in Fez
Rabat – Legal scholars, policymakers, and civil society representatives will convene at the Private University of Fez (UPF) on Saturday, April 12, for a pivotal conference on the Moroccan family code.
Hosted by the Higher Institute of Political and Legal Sciences, the event aims to spark critical discussions on the future of Morocco's Family Code and its adaptation to the country's evolving social and legal landscape.
The highly anticipated conference will take place at the 'Professor Rachid Yazami Conference Hall' on the UPF campus, and will be led by Professor Mohammed Jamal Maatouk, a renowned law professor and legal advisor known for his insightful analyses on legislative reforms.
A diverse audience, including Judges, lawyers, legal scholars, researchers, journalists, and students, as well as activists working on family justice and gender equality will notably gather to discuss the theme What Family Code Do We Dream Of?
Also encouraging the attendance of members of the public to take part in this critical dialogue, the conference seeks to hold space for new perspectives on legislative modernization while respecting Morocco's legal traditions.
Introduced in 2004, the Moroccan Family Code, or Moudawana, underwent significant reforms in December 2024. But discussions on further amendments continue as scholars and activists argue that certain aspects of the law should be updated to reflect new social realities, gender dynamics, and international legal frameworks.
Professor Maatouk is expected to address the legislation's potential evolution in response to societal changes, legal advancements, and institutional reforms in Morocco. Tags: Moroccan Family CodemoudawanaPrivate University of Fez
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
Two Sahrawis from Tindouf arrested in Spain on terrorism charges
In Spain, Basque police arrested two young Sahrawis from the Tindouf camps on Wednesday in the province of Álava. They are accused of «collaboration with jihadist organizations» and «glorifying terrorism». On Friday, the two suspects appeared before an investigating judge specializing in terrorism cases at the National Court in Madrid. Following the hearing, the magistrate ordered that one of the suspects remain in custody, while the other was released under judicial supervision. Notably, most Spanish media outlets covering the arrests, particularly those in the Basque region, did not disclose the origins of the individuals detained. «One of the suspects is reportedly a close associate of the new Polisario representative in Algiers, Khatri Addouh. Since Wednesday, Polisario representatives in Spain have been actively pressuring Basque media not to disclose the alleged terrorists' links to the Tindouf camps», a Moroccan source told Yabiladi. It is worth recalling that for several months, American think tanks and political figures have been lobbying the Trump administration to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization.
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches Repartition Process for Women Held in Syria
Moroccan authorities have reportedly initiated an administrative process requiring families to complete repatriation forms for their relatives held in northeastern Syrian camps. These include the infamous Al-Roj and Al-Hol camps, which are under Kurdish control and currently host around 8,000 people from 55 different countries—mostly families of former ISIS fighters. Currently, at least 476 Moroccans remain stranded in Syria, including 103 women and 285 children. This long-neglected issue is resurfacing in the wake of a major diplomatic shift between Morocco and Syria following the ousting of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December. This development offers long-awaited hope for women and children who have been trapped in these camps under dire humanitarian conditions. Families and human rights advocates have lamented Moroccan authorities for years of inaction with many calling for a phased repatriation process that prioritizes the most vulnerable. While some activists urged for a security-focused, case-by-case assessment—citing concerns about extremist affiliations—others argued that women and children should be approached differently, recognizing that many were coerced or manipulated into joining ISIS or living in exile. Signs of deepening Morocco-Syria normalization The renewed ties between Morocco and Syria have been marked by significant diplomatic gestures, including the closure of the Polisario Front's office in Damascus and King Mohammed VI's decision to reopen Morocco's embassy there after nearly 13 years. The embassy's reopening was officially announced in May, signaling a major foreign policy realignment. Mohammed VI conveyed the decision in a letter to Syria's interim President, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, which was read by Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita during the 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad. The letter reaffirmed Morocco's solidarity with Syria's territorial integrity and national sovereignty, while expressing support for the Syrian people's aspirations for freedom, security and stability. This diplomatic thaw has brought renewed attention to unresolved humanitarian concerns—chief among them, the repatriation of Moroccan nationals held in Syrian camps and prisons. According to a report by the Tetouan-based North Observatory of Human Rights, 38% of Moroccan jihadists who joined ISIS in 2015 were women. The report also emphasized how ISIS often targeted Moroccan women with emotionally manipulative messages, aiming to recruit them alongside their husbands and children, seizing the strategic role women have played in persuading entire families to join the group.
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Spain Arrests Two Tindouf-Origin Sahrawis on Terrorism Charges
Rabat – Spanish police in the Basque Country arrested two young Sahrawis originally from the Tindouf camps on Wednesday in the Álava region. The individuals are facing charges of 'collaboration with jihadist organizations' and 'glorification of terrorism,' according to converging reports. Both suspects appeared on Friday before a judge at Spain's National Court in Madrid, which specializes in terrorism-related cases. Following the hearing, the magistrate ordered one of the suspects to remain in custody while releasing the second under judicial supervision with conditions. Notably, most Spanish media outlets reporting on the case—particularly those in the Basque region—did not mention the origins of the suspects. According to a Moroccan source cited by multiple converging reports, one of the arrested individuals is reportedly closely connected to Khatri Addouh, the Polisario Front's new ambassador to Algeria. The same source indicated that Polisario representatives in Spain have been pressuring media outlets not to reveal that the suspects are linked to the Tindouf camps. The arrest comes amid growing concerns over the possible radicalization within the camps. In recent months, various American think tanks and political figures have called for the U.S. government to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization. Meanwhile, in Spain, a heated debate continues within the ruling coalition over a proposal to grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born during the Spanish colonial occupation of Western Sahara. Originally proposed by the far-left party Sumar—seen as a political move against the ruling Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)—, the initiative has sparked division. PSOE has opposed recognizing identity documents issued by the Polisario and has resisted simplifying naturalization procedures for Sahrawis. Despite PSOE's opposition, the proposal was passed in parliament thanks to support from other parties, further fueling tensions within Spain's governing alliance. Tags: Algeria and polisariospain polisarioTindouf
