chargement...
Morocco’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council has called for a substantial revision of draft law 29.24 on the creation of a National Agency for Child Protection, warning that the current text falls short of delivering a comprehensive reform.
In its opinion, made public on Monday, the council stresses that the draft law must be revisited within a «structured, coherent and shared vision, fully aligned with the objectives, priorities and programs of the integrated public policy for child protection».
The draft law aims to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for child protection by creating a national agency and reorganizing care structures for vulnerable children. It introduces three types of facilities: closed centers for minors in conflict with the law, open centers for children in difficult situations, and social care institutions providing long-term support.
The text also seeks to move toward «a unified system based on clear institutional responsibilities and convergence of interventions», marking a shift away from fragmented sectoral management.
A «structuring» reform with major gaps
While acknowledging the «structuring scope» of the reform, the council draws attention to «several issues and points of vigilance», which, if addressed, could strengthen the effectiveness and relevance of the mechanism.
It notes that the agency’s role remains too limited, as it would focus mainly on managing child protection centers. In practice, the institution «would not intervene directly in other essential aspects of child protection, such as support for families, the development of alternatives to institutional placement, risk prevention, or the structuring of local support systems». It therefore stresses the need to align the wording of the bill’s title with the agency’s actual scope and responsibilities.
The council also criticizes the absence of a prior impact study, noting that such an assessment «would have provided evidence on the relevance of creating the agency and its expected impact, including on the state budget».
A restrictive approach
Another key concern relates to social care institutions. The draft law relies heavily on sanctions, including closures and fines, without providing adequate support mechanisms, the council says. The «text does not include provisions to strengthen the legal guarantees that must be granted to child welfare institutions, nor does it provide for any accompanying measures», the council warned. It added that this approach «does not encourage the engagement and mobilization of field actors, who are a key link in the child protection system».
Governance issues are also highlighted, with the council noting that more than twenty provisions are left to future regulatory texts without clear deadlines, which «could significantly delay its effective implementation».
In addition, social care institutions are given a 24-month transition period to comply with the new framework, reflecting what the council sees as a potentially prolonged and uncertain rollout.
Rethinking the reform
Based on its analysis, the council calls for a fundamental rethink of the reform’s approach. It recommends revisiting the law on the basis of a prior study, expanding the agency’s mandate to include prevention and alternative protection mechanisms, and prioritizing non-custodial measures for minors.
In particular, it urges authorities to favor alternatives to detention, such as community service, supervision, and rehabilitation programs, in order to «reconcile the protection of minors with their responsibility and reintegration».
More broadly, the council emphasizes that institutional placement should remain a last resort, calling for stronger investment in prevention and family-based care.
It is worth noting that the council’s opinion follows a referral from the House of Representatives on January 8, 2026, requesting its review of draft law no. 29.24.
