Morocco
| Right | Question | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom of Expression | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Morocco’s 1962 Constitution, which was adopted 6 years after its independence from France (ConstitutionNet), guarantees the right to all forms of freedom of expression in Article 9 and that there will be “no limitation in the exercise of these freedoms may be imposed except by law.” The 2011 Constitution resulting from the Arab Spring omits this limitation in its mention of freedom of expression in Article 25. References: ConstitutionNet. Constitutional History of Morocco, (Accessed 7 June, 2024): https://constitutionnet.org/country/morocco Constitution of the Kingdom of Morocco, 1962. A.J. Peaslee and D.P. Xydis (1965), World Constitutions Illustrated, HeinOnline: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzma0011&i=1 Constitution of the Kingdom of Morocco, 2011. HeinOnline (2011), World Constitutions Illustrated, HeinOnline: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzma0046&i=1 |
| Freedom of Association | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | The earliest assertion of the rights to freedom of association in Morocco is found in a 1958 decree, dhahir 1-58-376. The law gives citizens the right to form associations, with Article 5 setting “forth the procedure for declaring an association and maintaining its declared status” (Human Rights Watch 2009, 7). Human Rights Watch. 2009 “Morocco: Freedom to Create Associations” https://www.hrw.org/reports/morocco1009webwcover.pdf |
| Freedom of Religion | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Freedom of religion is protected in Morocco in tandem with the establishment of a state religion. Article 6 of the first Moroccan constitution of 1962 determines that Islam is the religion of the state while also protecting “the free exercise of beliefs [cultes]” for all (Hein Online). This right is still protected today under Article 3 of the current constitution (constituteproject.org). "Fundamental Principles." Constitution of Morocco, pp. 562-563. HeinOnline, https://heinonline-org.uc.idm.oclc.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzma0011&i=1. “Morocco 2011 Constitution.” Constitute. Accessed July 26, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Morocco_2011. |
| Voting Rights and Suffrage | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Article 2 of Morocco’s Constitution states that representatives are elected by the people via principles of universal and free suffrage. Article 30 expands on the claim to universal suffrage stating that voting is a “personal right and national duty” granted to Moroccan citizens (age 18 and older). (Constitute Project, “Morocco’s Constitution of 2011”). |
| Freedom of the Press | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Article 28 of Morocco’s 2011 Constitution protects press freedom: “The freedom of the press is guaranteed and may not be limited by any form of prior censure" (Constitute Project, “Morocco’s Constitution of 2011”). |
| Privacy Rights | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | The 2011 Moroccan constitution was the first to have fundamental rights based on international treaties (Moroccan Government, “Constitution”). This made it the first to guarantee the right to privacy, which was achieved in Article 24 (Moroccan Government, “Constitution”; Constitute Project, “Morocco 2011”). Article 24 protects private life, the home, and correspondence (Constitute Project, “Morocco 2011”). https://www.maroc.ma/en/content/constitution https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Morocco_2011?lang=en |