Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi: I have a strong and real desire to bring required changes to the penal code in terms of contents and goals
Minister of Justice, Mr. Abdellatif Ouahbi has stated that he has worked to withdraw the penal code with pride, determination and conviction, and that the withdrawal is to be explained by the fact that that law is “partial”, adding that he is hoping to reach a “holistic” penal law, saying that “We have returned to reexamine the law and reread it chapter by chapter; the starting point was from the family status code and the penal code and we have finished their reviewing and we are asking right now the opinion of the state institutions to be presented later on before the Parliament at the level of the second house; after that it will be subject to a second reading by the judiciary body, mediation and arbitration till all the elements will be accomplished”.
So there is an action to be done at that level, said Mr. Ouahbi, during his invitation as a guest to a radio program “Without stale language” broadcast live last Friday evening, December 17, 2021 by Med Radio, pointing out that he has some convictions and he will put his own fingerprints then he will discuss it and will plead for it, though he is not the only one to make decisions, as a Minister, he does make a decision from inside the government whose decision remains a binding one.
Minister of Justice added that he is envisaging to make many changes at the level of the penal code, including sentences (reduction of death sentences to the maximum of what could be done, applying alternative punishments and financial compensation, affording the judge with some powers, individual freedoms…) and this is due to successes being achieved by some international human experiences, so there is no harm to benefit from those experiences and implement them in reality, “because I have a strong and big desire to bring in required changes as regard to that issue”.
Commenting on the point that has stirred an indignation by a large faction of Moroccans which concerns “impunity” , Minister of Justice said he has no problems about handling the matter; yet, investigation is required in these positions and when accusing an individual (especially those who assume public affairs nationally or locally), that should be based on proofs and demonstrations, therefore things should be largely controlled so that there will no free of charge and unfounded accusations; asserting at the same time that monitoring institutions should carry out their tasks in this regard, deal seriously with presented facts and initiate a legal proceedings in case of a specific crime and also to initiate a legal proceedings in case it is proven that there was a false slander.
