Thousands of lawyers gathered outside Morocco’s parliament in Rabat on Friday to demand the withdrawal of a controversial draft law.
Dressed in somber black robes, the demonstrators chanted slogans against a bill they claim threatens their professional independence and immunity.
The Moroccan government defends the legislation as a vital step toward modernizing the legal profession and implementing anti-corruption measures.
However, legal professionals argue the draft provisions could severely curtail their protections and subjugate the entire judicial defense system.
A primary point of contention involves granting courts direct disciplinary power over lawyers, a role traditionally held by bar associations.
“Our demand is simply the withdrawal of this law,” stated Omar Mahmoud Bendjelloun, warning that the bill seeks to subjugate.
Lawyer Karima Salama emphasized the need for a participatory approach, urging the government to include practitioners in any reform dialogue.
Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi expressed a willingness to modify harmful clauses but maintained that the legal landscape must inevitably change.
The standoff highlights a growing rift between the state’s modernization goals and the legal community’s commitment to self-governance.
As the bill undergoes parliamentary review, the streets of Rabat remain a stage for this high-stakes battle over judicial autonomy.