Morocco reports fall in pretrial detention rates

Morocco observed a substantial decline in pretrial detention rates on July 9^th, hitting an all-time low in national judicial history, with the rate now under 30% of total inmates, according to The North Africa Post, a government-friendly outlet.

Hicham Balaoui, Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation and Head of the Public Prosecution, issued a circular highlighting this achievement. He credited the drop to strong coordination between regional and local commissions set up under a joint directive from the Public Prosecution and Supreme Judicial Council in June 2023.

Balaoui remarked that while the reduction served as a positive development, challenges continue to linger, predominantly during the summer months. These challenges are often triggered due to staffing shortages caused by judicial vacations, resulting in a rise of pretrial detainees. The circular also encourages prosecutors to prioritise alternative measures and restorative justice, reaffirming that pretrial detention should remain a measure of last resort.

The North Africa Post, Maghrebi.org