Divorce applications processed in Morocco plummeted 72 percent

The number of divorce applications processed in Morocco plummeted 72 percent, going down from 37.548 in 2003 to 10.949 in 2004, said Omar Lamine, president of the chamber of the Rabat appellate court in a presentation titled "one year after the enforcement of the family code."

At a debate on the family law, convened on Monday in Rabat by the justice department, participants highlighted the sanguine figures resulting from the enforcement of the law that enhances the rights of women concerning marriage, divorce and other family matters.

Participants in this meeting, held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI under the theme "Family code, a basic pillar for a balanced Moroccan family," noted the positive indicators of the law such as the increase in marriage numbers and the decline of divorce numbers

The meeting also heard several presentations on the law and related issues, including "the new family law: a sociological approach," "the role of the public prosecutor and family law"… As to justice minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa, he told the national "TVM" channel the balance sheet of the law is positive and has triggered optimism.

The marriage rate went up 10 percent since the enforcement of the law, he said highlighting the role of judges to simplify procedures and inform the citizens.