Major revision of the Family Code
The preservation and promotion of the family as the main source of true and traditional values has always been of great importance to the Serbian people. Today, the protection and rights of each member of a family are of fundamental importance in any developed and modern society. In this regard, news comes from North Africa, more precisely from Morocco, of a very significant and far-reaching step forward in the development of family law.
Morocco is about to take a major step forward in the development of its family law framework. Yesterday, 23 December, a working session on the family legal framework, chaired by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, highlighted the need to support and strengthen the revision of the Moroccan Family Code. This session, which discussed ways to improve the existing legal framework on family law, demonstrated the importance that the Moroccan King attaches to this fundamental issue, and also illustrates how crucial it is for Moroccan society. In this example we can clearly see that for Moroccans, just like for us Serbs, traditional family values are one of the top priorities.
In the presence of Moroccan head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and the relevant ministers, King Mohammed VI recalled the crucial importance of consolidating the family unit, the foundation of stability and social cohesion. It should be noted that the process of amending the Moroccan Family Code has, over the past period, gone through several gradual stages of listening to and consulting all stakeholders, drafting and adapting proposals, and seeking legal advice from a specialist in Islamic law, before reaching the legislative stage. It is now up to the Moroccan Parliament to vote on the above-mentioned amendments to the Family Code.
These important changes are a continuation of the reforms initiated by the Moroccan King in 2004, and are aimed at the well-being of the Moroccan family in general, and mark a major turning point in women’s rights and the promotion of their conditions in particular.
With this new major revision of the Family Code, the Moroccan Head of State intends to respond to social changes and contribute to strengthening the protection of individual and collective rights, while respecting religious precepts and national values. In this way, these major changes will help to establish solid foundations for the Moroccan family as the fundamental core of society.
In addition, the reform highlights the uniqueness of the Moroccan legal model at regional and international levels, while remaining faithful to the principles of Islam and the specificities of the Moroccan family, in accordance with the principles of equality, justice and solidarity.
The Moroccan King stressed the need to imbue the legislative phase with a spirit of reform and openness, and the desire to guarantee the legal, social and economic protection of the family, while facilitating its implementation and avoiding contradictory judicial interpretations. The King also insisted on deepening the study of the issues of Islamic jurisprudence raised by the changes undergone by the Moroccan family and the innovative responses required to support social change.
Last but not least, this reform illustrates Morocco’s ability to innovate while remaining faithful to its values. The revision of the Family Code promises to be a historic turning point for Morocco. It is clear that by adapting its laws to today’s needs, Morocco is reaffirming its commitment to harmonious development that respects the country’s specific characteristics. This will certainly be a great step forward for the country!