Morocco Official Confirms Importance of Judiciary’s Independence

Men, accused in the killing of a Danish and Norwegian hikers in the Atlas mountains near Marrakech, are seen inside a car after leaving the courtroom in Sale, near Rabat, Morocco, July 18, 2019. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal
Men, accused in the killing of a Danish and Norwegian hikers in the Atlas mountains near Marrakech, are seen inside a car after leaving the courtroom in Sale, near Rabat, Morocco, July 18, 2019. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal
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Morocco Official Confirms Importance of Judiciary’s Independence

Men, accused in the killing of a Danish and Norwegian hikers in the Atlas mountains near Marrakech, are seen inside a car after leaving the courtroom in Sale, near Rabat, Morocco, July 18, 2019. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal
Men, accused in the killing of a Danish and Norwegian hikers in the Atlas mountains near Marrakech, are seen inside a car after leaving the courtroom in Sale, near Rabat, Morocco, July 18, 2019. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal

Morocco’s first president of the Court of Cassation, deputy chairman of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) Mustapha Fares said that the independence of the judiciary has served as a pillar for guaranteeing rights, safeguarding freedoms, responding to grievances, fighting corruption and achieving judicial security.

He added that the independence has contributed to building a new Morocco.

In an official session held in Rabat, Fares reviewed the results of the first two years of public prosecution being independent of the country’s justice ministry.

In 2017, Morocco transferred the office of the public prosecution from the ministry, part of the executive branch, to the Court of Cassation, part of the judicial branch.

On the other hand, Fares called on judges across the Kingdom to “safeguard the sanctity of the courts and the prestige of those working in them, through upholding commitment to moral values and legal duties.”

“The CSPJ will support combating all forms of corruption, imbalances and improprieties,” he added.

Fares also called on the judiciary to ensure that courts are effective models of judicial administration and spaces that produce rapid and advanced justice, pointing out that “there is no room for leniency with brokers who trade the problems and concerns of citizens for personal gains.”



Israeli Airstrikes Hit Buildings Near Beirut Airport

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Israeli Airstrikes Hit Buildings Near Beirut Airport

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the Rafic Hariri International Airport.
Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based.
The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes.