Calls to reconsider discrimination against women in nationality code

A conference held in Rabat Friday on Morocco's nationality code urged for reconsideration of provisions seen as unjust towards women and their children of foreign fathers.

The meeting, organized by Morocco's Organization of Human Rights (OMDH), said Moroccan women must be able to automatically give their nationality to their children with foreign fathers, just like men.

Participants said Morocco's reserves concerning Article 9 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), constitute discrimination between sexes.

Under this article, "Parties shall accord to women, in civil matters, a legal capacity identical to that of men and the same opportunities to exercise that capacity. In particular, they shall give women equal rights to conclude contracts and to administer property and shall treat them equally in all stages of procedure in courts and tribunals."