The Presidency of the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Council of Europe launched on 14 March a compendium of judgments and requests issued by the courts of the Kingdom of Morocco and legal summaries of judgments and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in the fields of violence against women and domestic violence. This compendium is published in the framework of the project aimed at strengthening the criminal protection of women, which allowed so far to train 370 magistrates across Morocco. The purpose of this tool is to disseminate the best judicial practices, both nationally and internationally, and to encourage public prosecutors to redouble their efforts to achieve effective protection of women against all forms of violence.

The fact that this compendium also includes judgments and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in this area illustrates the willingness of Moroccan authorities to progress towards the creation of a common legal space based on international and European standards, in particular those of the Council of Europe, which is a central objective of the South Programme since its very first edition.

The preamble to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) recalls that women and girls are often at risk of serious forms of violence such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, rape, forced marriage, crimes committed in the name of so-called "honour" and genital mutilation, which constitute a serious violation of women and girls’ human rights and a major obstacle to the achievement of equality between women and men.

This compendium is intended to legal professionals – prosecutors, judges and lawyers – dealing with cases in the fight against violence against women and domestic violence. It will also serve as a basis for the work of other actors, academics and non-governmental organisations working in this field and, more generally, will enrich the capacity-building activities for actors carried out on this theme within the framework of the Partnership between Morocco and the Council of Europe.

 Interview with Mr. Mohamed Oukhlifa, Attorney General at the Court of Cassation, who discusses the efforts made by the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor's Office to protect women victims of violence and cooperation with the Council of Europe in this area

 Compendium - Tome 1.pdf

 Compendium - Tome 2.pdf

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.