Doha – The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) is launching a groundbreaking partnership with key Moroccan judicial institutions to bolster the nation’s justice system.
The inaugural meeting of the “MA-JUST” program, titled “Towards a More Protective, Accessible, and Efficient Justice in Morocco,” is kicking off today, October 28, and will run through October 29.
According to a press release by the Council of Europe, the two-day event is bringing together CEPEJ, the Moroccan Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Judicial Council, the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and European experts from France, Belgium, and Portugal.
The gathering aims to introduce CEPEJ’s tailor-made approach in selected Moroccan pilot courts, leveraging its tools and European best practices to support the effective functioning of courts and enhance the quality of the judicial process.
In his opening remarks, Moulay El Hassan Daki, President of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, spoke to the importance of working with other institutions, especially in the justice field. He said this helps them to exchange ideas, find the best ways to protect rights and freedoms, make it easier for people to access the justice system as well as increase efficiency.
He also highlighted the significance of this partnership in light of the speech delivered by King Mohammed VI at the first session of the first legislative year of the 10th legislative term on October 14, 2016.
Daki praised the efforts made by the joint body and its subcommittees, which have increased their activity since their establishment, thanks to their complementary working relationships and representation of all parts of the justice sector in Morocco.
He also expressed gratitude to the European Union and the Council of Europe for their continuous support of Morocco’s efforts to develop the performance of its judicial institutions and strengthen judicial cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
The partnership meeting will feature expert panels and interactive sessions focusing on crucial themes such as the digitalization of the judicial system as well as strategies to boost public trust within it. Sessions will also cover the integration of artificial intelligence and judicial time management.
CEPEJ works with Moroccan professionals to optimize judicial processes and data management, in order to make the system more transparent and efficient and to meet the needs of Moroccan citizens.
The “MA-JUST” program is co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.
It builds upon the tangible results achieved by previous Neighbourhood Partnerships with Morocco since 2012, forming a basis for further consolidating political dialogue and technical cooperation between the Council of Europe and Morocco.
The Neighbourhood Partnership with Morocco for 2022-2025 contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health, education, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities, and peace, justice, and strong institutions.
Morocco has a history of engagement with the Council of Europe, having been granted observer status with the CEPEJ and the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE).
The country is also a contracting party to several Council of Europe conventions, including those related to data protection, cybercrime, and the counterfeiting of medical products.
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