In Morocco, the adouls, a group of Islamic notaries, have declared an open-ended nationwide strike set to commence on April 13. This decision marks a significant escalation in their ongoing conflict with the Justice Ministry over a contentious draft law intended to regulate their profession. The announcement was made following a meeting held by the executive office of the National Authority of Adouls on April 3 in Rabat, where they expressed their intention to halt all services across courts throughout the country.
This strike is a continuation of the protests that have been gaining momentum for several weeks, reflecting the growing frustration of the adouls towards what they perceive as a lack of adequate consultation and persistent deadlock with the ministry regarding draft law No. 16.22. The adouls have firmly rejected the bill in its current form, emphasizing that their suggestions and amendments have been largely ignored.
The latest developments follow a series of protests, including a two-day strike that took place on February 18-19, a nationwide work stoppage from March 2 to March 10, and additional disruptions leading up to early April. Notably, adouls also organized a demonstration outside parliament on April 2 to voice their concerns.
Critics within the profession contend that several provisions outlined in the draft law do not accurately reflect the realities of their work and could jeopardize their essential role in authenticating legal documents and facilitating transactions. They have also raised alarms about what they consider overly restrictive regulations and a lack of balance within the organization of the legal sector.
In addition to initiating the strike, the adouls plan to stage a nationwide sit-in outside parliament on the same day, April 13. Their goal is to call for a “serious, responsible, and productive” dialogue with the authorities, as well as to demand the withdrawal or suspension of the controversial draft law.
The National Authority has underscored the critical role of adouls within Morocco’s legal framework, asserting that any reform within the sector ought to adopt a participative approach that acknowledges the practical realities faced by these professionals.
The impending suspension of services is anticipated to disrupt a variety of administrative and legal procedures, with the professional body indicating that the responsibility for this disruption lies squarely with the authorities’ inability to resolve the ongoing dispute. A press conference is anticipated in the coming days to outline the next steps in this protest movement.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
