In the framework of the South Programme IV and in the wake of International Women's Day, the Council of Europe and the Presidency of the Public Prosecution of Morocco organised on 9 and 10 March 2021 in Rabat, an activity aimed at strengthening the role of prosecutors in combating violence against women and domestic violence.

The event was opened by Mr. Mohamed Abdennabaoui, President of the Public Prosecution, Mr. Michael Ingledow, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Rabat and Ms. Claudia Wiedey, European Union Ambassador to Morocco.

The working sessions involved leading experts from Morocco and the Council of Europe and drew upon applicable national and international standards, such as the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) and other relevant international Conventions.

In addition to outlining the various aspects related to the prevention, especially in times of pandemic, protection of minor girls and violence in the digital environment; these sessions also presented the relevant case law of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as existing practices in some Council of Europe members States and appropriate programmes and tools.

This activity is a follow-up of two similar events held in December 2019 in Marrakech and Agadir that have allowed a hundred judges to deepen their approach to issues linked to this problematic at the level of the judicial chain, as well as their knowledge of national and international standards and the applicable best practices in this field.

These activities also took place in the context of the implementation of Law 103-13 on the fight against violence towards women, of Law 13-2012 identifying the conditions for domestic labour, as well as of the efforts made by representatives of the Public Prosecution in combating child marriage.

 

Photo gallery of the 9-march session

Photo gallery of the 10-march session

 

More information about the Council of Europe Office in Rabat (in French)

 

This activity benefits from the support of the South Programme IV and the European Union programme to support the justice sector reform.

The South Programme IV is a joint programme of the Council of Europe and the European Union, financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.