(NAPSA)—Those with an inter- est in events in North Africa may already be aware that the push toward democratic reforms in the region did not begin with what is known in the West as the Arab Spring. For example, as early as 2004, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco began to take a numberof significant steps along a more progressive path, beginning with a landmark family law that ushered in stronger protections for women’s rights. This was followed by the implementation of a commission that investigated the previous regime’s humanrights abuses. Building on these achievements, the Moroccan government is taking several concrete steps to advance changes to its judicial system that were set forth in the country’s 2011 Constitutional reforms. These were presented in four separate reports that focus on: Organization and procedures of the Constitutional Court, which will oversee free and fair elections and uphold principles and rights guaranteed by the Moroccan Constitution Procedures for allowing parties to a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of a law Narrowing the jurisdiction of military courts by limiting their authority to military personnel Tt i@ | in Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan governmentis taking concrete steps to speed changesto the country’s judicial system. Establishment of the Higher Judiciary Council to promote separation of powers and increase judicial independence. King Mohammed VI has welcomed these recommendations as a significant contribution to advancing Morocco’s dialogue on democracy, the rule of law, human rights protections, and an independent judiciary. He called for their speedy implementation. Under the Constitution, these recommendations will be debated by Parliament, drafted into legislation, and submitted for passage into law—demonstrating what the path to progress can look like. This information is provided by Beckerman on behalf of the government of Morocco. Further information is available at the U.S. Departmentof Justice.
