House unanimously adopts draft regulating high court and parliamentary immunity lifting

The Moroccan House of Representatives (parliament lower chamber) on Thursday adopted unanimously draft law 63/00 regulating the High Court which will be competent in trying government members.

The court, whose president will be named by a Dahir (royal decree), will be made up of parliamentary magistrates assisted by an investigation committee, a prosecutor general and a clerk office.

The adopted draft also defines procedures to be followed in accusation, investigation and the ruling delivery.

Justice minister, Mohammed Bouzoubaa, said the bill determines the court's prerogatives and the competence of the investigation committee in charge of collecting accusation data and fact reconstitution.

The draft includes all guarantees to ensure a fair trial, he said.

On the same day, the House also passed a bill that defines procedures to be followed regarding the probe in crimes and offenses committed by Mps and defining the authority empowered to request the lifting of the parliamentary immunity as well as legal deadlines to rule on requests.