Morocco to back UN Resolution for a Universal Moratorium on death penalty

Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said the Kingdom will vote in favor of the tenth United Nations resolution on a moratorium on the application of the death penalty.

The resolution will be voted in the coming days during the next United Nations General Assembly, the minister told members of parliament.

The decision marks a major shift as Morocco has abstained from voting on the previous nine resolutions.

The minister emphasized that this decision is part of strengthening the protection of the right to life, in accordance with Article 20 of the Constitution.

This announcement represents a milestone in Morocco’s penal policy after it had abstained from voting on previous resolutions related to the moratorium on the application of the death penalty at the United Nations General Assembly.

He added that the upcoming vote reflects Morocco’s desire to strengthen its policy in favor of human rights and to consolidate its position as an advanced country in the field of human justice, while preserving national specificities.

The minister also highlighted that Morocco has implemented a de facto moratorium on the application of the death penalty since 1993, underscoring its ongoing commitment to the protection of the right to life. He specified that the support for the upcoming resolution is in the context of reinforcing the right to life.