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Rabat – Morocco’s Justice Ministry plans to tighten laws governing bladed weapons as part of an upcoming reform of the country’s Penal Code, amid growing anxiety over violent assaults and public safety.
Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi addressed Parliament on Monday, stating that the government intends to redefine what counts as a weapon and raise penalties under Article 303 bis of the Penal Code. The goal, he said, is to match the law to the reality of how these weapons threaten lives and disturb the peace.
“The use of bladed weapons is not just a legal issue. It’s a public safety concern that affects every Moroccan,” Ouahbi told members of the House of Representatives, responding to a question raised by the Haraki Group.
While Morocco already treats such cases with increased seriousness, the minister acknowledged that the law has not kept pace with the severity of the crimes. Courts across the country have started to hand down tougher sentences, he noted, reflecting how dangerous this trend has become for communities.
Ouahbi welcomed the shared sense of urgency among judges and prosecutors, who, according to him, now show a stronger will to act. He also commended the ongoing work of the police and Royal Gendarmerie, calling their presence a vital line of defense against the spread of street violence.
The proposed changes come at a time when videos of assaults involving knives and other weapons circulate widely on social media, fueling public outrage and calls for swift action.
By placing this issue at the heart of Penal Code reform, Moroccan authorities appear to be responding to that demand and signaling that the streets should not belong to fear.
