In a move that will mark a milestone shift for the first time in its human rights history, Morocco is set to vote on the abolition of the death penalty.
Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said Morocco will support the UN resolution for a moratorium on the death penalty to be discussed at the UN General Assembly on December 15, 2024.
Referencing Article 20 of the national document, Ouahbi told parliament that it was a commitment to protecting the right to life, in line with the Moroccan Constitution. The vote will introduce a two-year moratorium on executions, with plans to amend the penal code for permanent abolition.
However, following an extraordinary leadership session earlier this week, the Moroccan Justice and Development Party (PJD) has reaffirmed its principled stance on retaining the death penalty for the gravest crimes. It listed these to include premeditated murder and violations of the right to life, in line with the sanctions prescribed by the Qur’an.
According to the PJD, death penalty provides a sense of justice to victims’ families and serves as both a deterrent and a means of calming societal unrest.
