Morocco, international justice NGO sign cooperation protocol

A cooperation protocol was signed in Rabat Friday by the Moroccan Justice ministry and the international NGO "Search for Common ground" (SFCG), in partnership with the London-based British Human Rights Association.

This project, financed by the British government, aims at modernizing the methods and means in settling legal conflicts and enhancing Moroccan citizens' confidence on these alternative means.

The cooperation protocol, which was signed by the Moroccan Justice Minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa, and the representative of the SFCG in Morocco, Oussama Safa, in the presence of the UK ambassador in Morocco, Haydon Warren-Grash, aims also at facilitating the means of reaching satisfactory solutions for all the parties in a conflict.

The protocol, to be implemented in two years, provides for training sessions both in Morocco and in the UK, the creation of a semi-independent institution in charge of mediation for the settlement of legal and trade litigations and the launching of a public awareness campaign on alternative methods for settling conflicts.

The Justice Minister greeted the participation of the British government in financing the project, stressing the importance of the protocol in strengthening the legal system reforms undertaken by Morocco and accelerating the processing of pending cases in Moroccan courts due to the shortage in magistrates.

The British ambassador hailed as "historic" the reforms in the Moroccan legal system, citing in this regard the newly enacted Family Code. He underlined the British government's resolve to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of justice.

"Search For Common Ground" is an American-Belgian NGO, which aims at changing the ways whereby societies perceive conflicts and promoting dialogue and reconciliation.