The House of Councillors passed Bill 03.23 by a majority vote on Tuesday in Rabat during a legislative session. The bill amends and supplements Law 22.01 related to criminal procedure. The measure was approved by 24 councillors, with 4 voting against and 2 abstaining. Presenting the bill, Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi emphasized its significance within Morocco's legal framework, describing it as a key pillar of the country's criminal justice system. He explained that the bill seeks to strike a balance between ensuring the prosecution of criminal offenses and guaranteeing the right to a fair trial, including the presumption of innocence. Ouahbi added that the legislation was the result of a participatory process, developed through broad discussions and consultations with various stakeholders, including constitutional bodies such as the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE). He concluded by stating that the reform marks an important step toward modernizing the national legal system and responding to public expectations and demands for justice.
