King Mohammed sets up commission to study civil code revision

Morocco's King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, appointed an advisory commission that will study the revision of the civil status code (Moudawwana).

The Commission, chaired by Driss Dahhak, comprises 14 members, including three women. It is mainly made up of people active in the fields of justice and jurisprudence.

Addressing the Commission members, King Mohammed VI recommended them to bear in mind, while fulfilling their mission "the ultimate finality of the generous teachings of Sharia (Islamic law) and to be fair to women, as prescribed by Islam."

The king recalled that in his capacity as Commander of the Faithful, he was keen on continuing action for the promotion of women's conditions in all sectors of activity and on eliminating all forms of injustice against them.

The king entrusted the commission with "studying mechanisms and procedures proper to guarantee a sound implementation of the provisions of the Moudawwana and to devise a draft revision."

He urged the commission members to take all necessary measures to preserve the Sharia and rigorous implementation of its texts. He also called them to observe impartiality and to take into account the social reality.

The Commission members were also recommended to preserve the general interest of the community within the strict respect of the balance between rights and duties and to listen to all instances, organizations and associations and all parties involved in women issues.

He further urged the commission to identify the provisions of the Moudawwana that need to be effectively implemented, taking into account the social changes and the contemporary concerns.