Morocco
Morocco has dedicated provisions in its Criminal Code, inserted by a 2003 law passed in the aftermath of the Casablanca bombings. The law has also been used to target journalists.
The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law
Terrorism is defined in very broad terms in Morocco's Criminal Code as predicate offences intentionally committed in relation to an individual or collective enterprise aimed at seriously undermining public order through intimidation, terror or violence:
1) voluntary attack on the life of persons or their integrity, or their freedoms, kidnapping or sequestration of persons;
2) the counterfeiting or falsification of coins or public credit instruments, State seals and hallmarks, stamps and marks...;
3) destruction, degradation or deterioration;
4) hijacking, damage to aircraft or ships or any other means of transport, damage to air, sea and land navigation facilities and destruction, or damage to means of communication;
5) theft and extortion of property;
6) the manufacture, possession, transport, distribution or illegal use of weapons, explosives or ammunition;
7) offences relating to automated data processing systems;
8) forgery or falsification of cheques or any other means of payment covered [by] the Commercial Code;
9) participation in an association formed or an agreement established for the preparation or commission of one of the acts of terrorism;
10) knowingly receiving the proceeds of a terrorism offence.Art. 218(1), Criminal Code of Morocco.
There is also great concern about a new law (adopted in 2020 but not yet in force) covering online terrorist offences.
Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties
Morocco is a State Party to the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1973 Convention on Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons | State Party |
| 1979 Hostage-Taking Convention | State Party |
| 1997 Terrorist Bombings Convention | State Party |
| 1999 Terrorist Financing Convention | State Party |
| 2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention | State Party |
Morocco is not a State Party to either of the African Union treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1999 Algiers Convention | State not party |
| 2004 Protocol to the Algiers Convention | State not party |
Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences
The 2003 law introduced harsh sentences for terrorism with a minimum of a ten-year sentence, rising to the imposition of the death penalty for terrorist offences that involve killing.Art. 218(3), Criminal Code of Morocco.
Amnesty International has complained about the use of the law to target journalists.
Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level
Morocco has specific counterterrorism capacity in its security forces. Results are said to suggest that despite more than 1,000 Moroccan nationals joining Islamic State and other terrorist groups, the country dismantled more than 200 terrorist cells and made more than 3,500 terrorism-related arrests over the past two decades
Glossary
Twitter