The Minister of Justice reacts to the recommendations of the “Amazigh Forum of Morocco” on the activation of the Amazigh language in the field of justice
The Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, responded to the conclusions and recommendations issued by the third edition of the “National Forum of Amazighs of Morocco”, organized by the newspaper “Alam Amazighi” and the Rabat Bar Association, with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, in collaboration with the World Amazigh Congress, in Rabat, on May 31, 2974-2024.
In a message addressed to Rachid Raqqa, President of the World Amazigh Congress, Ouahbi reacted to the forum’s conclusions and recommendations, held under the theme: “The Activation of the Amazigh Language in the Field of Justice”. The event featured a significant presence of lawyers, Amazigh movement activists, and human rights activists. The minister outlined a series of initiatives and measures taken by the Ministry of Justice to implement the official status of the Amazigh language.
1. At the level of the joint committee between the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Council of the Judiciary:
The minister stated that the joint committee between the Supreme Judicial Council and the Ministry of Justice has paid great attention to the activation of the official status of the Amazigh language. This issue was discussed in the steering and follow-up committees, composed of senior officials, including the delegated president, the head of the public prosecutor’s office, the minister of justice, and their respective secretaries-general. The plan includes preparing a practical guide to introduce Amazigh in primary courts, as well as a specialized guide for higher and specialized courts.
The action plan, running from 2022 to 2029, follows the stages outlined by Organic Law 26.16, which defines the steps for integrating Amazigh into priority public areas, including education and justice. This process will be rolled out gradually, starting with three pilot courts located in Al Hoceima, Midelt, and Taroudant, selected based on the local Amazigh dialects. The generalization to other courts across the country will be progressive.
To facilitate the integration of the Amazigh language into judicial procedures, the ministry introduced intermediary employees to assist Amazigh-speaking litigants in navigating the judicial system. Signage in these pilot courts is now displayed in Tifinagh, the Amazigh alphabet.
2. Legislative and procedural measures:
The minister highlighted that Article 14 of Law 38.15 on judicial organization stipulates that Arabic remains the language of litigation and judgments, while Amazigh should be introduced in accordance with Organic Law 26.16.
The ministry also supported a legislative initiative proposing the addition of Amazigh proficiency as a condition for obtaining Moroccan nationality. The minister mentioned a cooperation agreement with the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture to train specialized translators in both written and oral Amazigh.
3. Employment and training:
The ministry recruited 100 judicial assistants, 60% of whom are proficient in Amazigh, to assist Amazigh-speaking citizens. 142 Amazigh-speaking reception agents were also assigned to courts in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transition. The minister emphasized the importance of appointing officials proficient in Amazigh to facilitate communication with Amazigh-speaking citizens.
The ministry also set up a call center with 12 employees fluent in different Amazigh dialects. In the first six months of this year, the center received 650 calls in the Amazigh language.
4. Translation and documentation:
The minister emphasized the importance of ensuring translation between Amazigh and other languages during investigations, trials, and judicial procedures. The goal is to guarantee the use of Amazigh in court proceedings upon the request of the concerned parties.
5. Communication:
The Ministry of Justice now uses the Amazigh language in its official communications, including on websites, social media, and audiovisual publications. Amazigh is also featured on signage in courts and on administrative documents.
In conclusion, the minister affirmed the ministry’s commitment to further integrating the Amazigh language into all aspects of justice and gradually expanding its use as planned.
