“A "historic milestone" and a "significant stride" on a firm path towards full & definitive abolition… A historic moment that paves the way for a new strategy in the realization of human rights in Morocco”

With these words, Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of National Human Rights Council (CNDH), welcomed the Kingdom of Morocco's vote in favor of the United Nations resolution on the universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty, on the evening of Tuesday, December 17, 2024. 

This historic vote took place before the Third Committee of the United Nations. The CNDH organized a live broadcast of the proceedings at its headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, attended by partners advocating for the abolition of the death penalty and various stakeholders.

CNDH Chairperson described the vote as “a "historic milestone" and a "significant stride"” on a firm path towards full & definitive abolition. She noted that this decision marks a special culmination of a significant process, reaffirming Morocco's renewed voluntary and sovereign commitment to protecting the dignity of its citizens.

Highlighting the centrality of the right to life as an absolute right and a cornerstone for the enjoyment of all other rights, Ms. Bouayach expressed her hope that “the new Penal Code will reflect Morocco’s stance and present a draft that aligns with the kingdom’s vote to suspend the death penalty.” She emphasized that “This historic step will accelerate our progress toward abolishing the death penalty once and for all.”

Speaking from the venue hosting advocates for the right to life, the “20 Years of Truth and Justice” exhibition, Ms. Bouayach noted that “As we approach the completion of two decades of efforts on equity and reconciliation, this journey is culminated with the vote in favor of the moratorium on the death penalty.”

The CNDH alongside its partners—including the Moroccan Coalition for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, the Moroccan Prison Observatory, the Together Against the Death Penalty Association (ECPM), and networks of parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, academics, and entrepreneurs against the death penalty—has long advocated for the abolition of the death penalty both in law and in practice. These efforts include raising awareness among the public and political leaders about the inhumane nature and ineffectiveness of the death penalty in combating crime.

The CNDH has consistently called for abolishing the death penalty in its annual reports and its memorandum submitted to Parliament on October 28, 2019, concerning the draft law amending and supplementing the Penal Code.