Clad in striking red armbands, Moroccan lawyers have intensified their indefinite strike, gathering once again on Monday, July 6 outside the Parliament building in Rabat. Their mobilization shows no sign of waning as they escalate pressure against a controversial draft law they argue undermines the core principles of their profession.
The protestors, dressed in traditional black robes, are voicing strong opposition to the legislation, which they claim erodes their autonomy from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Justice. Key concerns include proposed changes to disciplinary procedures, the transfer of lawyer training oversight to the Ministry of Justice, and new eligibility rules—particularly the lowering of the minimum age for bar exam candidates.
Just days earlier, during a previous demonstration at the same location, representatives had delivered an uncompromising message, vowing to escalate their actions until the bill is withdrawn. Speaking on behalf of the legal community, Aziz Rouibah, Dean of the Rabat Bar Association, issued a stark warning: “Our very existence as lawyers is under threat.” He accused certain actors of attempting to “symbolically dismantle” the profession, calling the legislative offensive an “unprecedented attack” on judicial independence.
Me Mounir Belghiti, a prominent member of the Rabat Bar Council, framed the standoff as a crisis of confidence. He emphasized that any future law must reflect the nation’s long-term interests rather than being driven by “personal grievances.” Warning of democracy’s fragility, he cautioned: “When legislation is tailored to serve temporary interests, we erode the foundations of consensus and the rule of law.”
The legislative process is ongoing. This week, the Chamber of Advisors will continue debating the draft. Should amendments be adopted, the text will return to the Justice Committee of the Chamber of Representatives for further review.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s courts remain severely disrupted by the ongoing strike. The impasse is creating growing uncertainty, particularly for detainees awaiting trial, whose cases 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 defense of professional freedoms.
