Family law reforms welcomed by Moroccan political parties and associations
Morocco, Politics, 10/14/2003

Reforms to the family law announced on Friday by King Mohammed VI were broadly welcomed by several political parties and associations in Morocco as landmark changes to the status of women in Morocco.

The first party to express its support to the reform proposals was the Islamic moderate Party for Justice and Development (PJD/in parliament) which released on Saturday night a communiqu? in which it "welcomes and supports the review of the family law announced by Amir Al-Muminin as a pioneering reform and considers it to be in favor of the family and of women, in addition to being a substantial asset for the entire Moroccan nation."

The PJD added that "it values the keen concern of Amir-Al Muminin, His Majesty king Mohammed VI to see to it that the reform of the family law is in line with the prescriptions of Islam and with the aims of our religion, which advocates justice, equity and call for honoring human beings."

Women associations also hailed the announced reforms and noted that they meet the expectations of Moroccan women and preserve their dignity.

The Moroccan association of women defense (AMDF) and the women section of the constitutional union (UC) saw in these proposals "bases for the construction of a democratic and balanced society where women enjoy their rights."

For the Party for Progress and Socialism (PPS/government), the changes are a "revolutionary and deep approach that, ultimately, heralds an essential component of a coherent society project which made of communes, schools and families basic foundations for the construction of a modern democratic society." The PPS sees in the project, that will be submitted to the parliament, "a basic step in the building of a fair society that is attached to its authentic civilization and religious values and open onto progress and modernity."

Meanwhile, the Istiqlal party (PI in government) stressed that the King's instructions reflect his keenness to promulgate a family law that guarantees the dignity and rights of women, children and men and outlines their duties as they are defined by Islam while taking into account the development of society.

The PI leader, Abbas El Fassi, was quoted by the party's paper in Arabic "AL Alam" as saying that "history will remember the royal contribution as an initiative that deserves respect."

The same support was voiced by the Socialist Union of Popular forces (USFP/in government) which hailed "the historic dimension" of these reforms and "the bold initiative to put on an equal footing men and women and establish a society based on the principles of justice, equality and preservation of the dignity of individuals and groups."

The USFP daily "Al Ittihad Al Ishtiraki" notes that the reforms come to fulfill the Moroccan people's aspirations to manage family affairs through consensus where religious values, adherence to international conventions and modernization will prevail.

"Total support to the Royal speech" and "large satisfaction with the outlines of the approach" were displayed by the "Social Democratic Movement" (MDS) which comments that reforms are part of "a genuine society project that is based on the values of equality, responsibility and modernity as well as religion and traditions that are the socio-cultural reference defining the Moroccan identity."

The Unity and Reform Movement (MUR) published in its "Attajdid" newspaper a statement supporting the king's speech at the opening of the parliament's fall session as gains for the Moroccan family in all its components (spouses and children) and for the whole Moroccan society. The party says it is proud that the basic framework that regulates these reforms is the Islamic reference on which the king, who is also Amir Al-Muminine (commander of the faithful), insisted when stating "In my capacity as Amir Al-Muminine, I cannot make licit what God has forbidden, nor forbid what He has made lawful).

For the Democratic Forces Front (FFD), the speech delivered by the sovereign "has put an end to a controversy over major choices and consecrated Morocco's option for modernity and democracy." The FFD also described as a "quality leap forward" the king's call to implement the reforms by setting up a special family jurisdiction.

"Deep satisfaction" is the feeling expressed by the Constitutional Union (UC) which called the Royal instructions a "major historical event for the country and an essential step in perfecting the project of a democratic and modern society."

For the UC, the sovereign, who has been endeavoring to lift the injustice affecting some categories of the society through institutional solidarity, has been stimulating Ijtihad (jurisprudence). The UC also noted that the reference of reforms announced by the king is likely to preserve the strength of family links and safeguard the legitimacy and lofty goals of Ijtihad.

The party further stressed that the new Mudawana project is a project for the entire family and a victory in the Moroccan society's struggle for the consolidation of justice and human rights.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan speaker hails France's commitment for world peace   (10/13/2003)
  French president hails lucidity and courage of king's amendment to family law   (10/13/2003)
  Spanish press deems revolutionary family law reforms in morocco   (10/13/2003)

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