ADJM calls for urgent action to end land grabbing in Morocco

The Association for Law and Justice in Morocco (ADJM) called for an effective end to land grabbing in the country on Monday, Nov. 24. In a statement sent to Yabiladi, the NGO laments the «painful societal climate», with the persistence of cases involving victims of these practices and the misappropriation of inheritances. Many of the victims, the ADJM says, are Moroccans residing abroad (MRE), who are confronted with «illegal property transfers, document falsifications, administrative or judicial complicity, and opaque procedures».

Measures to stop this have been taken since 2016, notably with «the circulars from the Ministry of Justice and the efforts of the General Directorate of Land Conservation». Despite these commendable actions, «many cases remain unresolved, and victims are exhausted from trying to assert their rights», due to the «endemic corruption».

Furthermore, the NGO calls to the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, to create «a strengthening of the legal framework and relentless sanctions against fraudsters, an abolition of law 39.08 – 2011 article 2, concrete legal support for victims, the effective execution of final judgments, and the unconditional restitution of misappropriated property to victims».

Tthe organization hopes to bolster public opinion and public authorities on the persistent phenomenon and «its harmful consequences on the rule of law, investment, and the significant erosion of citizens' trust in justice, thus fueling a sense of legal insecurity».

The ADJM and the collective of victims believe that «the fight against land grabbing must remain a national priority» to enhance justice, stability, and the protection of citizens' rights.