Morocco to host World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Marrakech

The president of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), Amina Bouayach, reaffirmed Morocco’s decision to host the 10th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Marrakech, as the ninth edition came to a close in Paris. Speaking at a meeting at the French National Assembly on July 2, Bouayach welcomed the fact that the kingdom will be the next host of this major gathering, which will be held outside Europe and Canada for the first time.

Beyond its symbolic significance, the decision reflects "a profound openness to debates on human rights and to abolitionist movements," the CNDH president said. She also welcomed Morocco’s position, taken for the first time in its history in December 2024, in favor of the UN resolution calling for a global moratorium on the use of capital punishment.

Morocco was among the first countries to suspend the death penalty in 1982 and has carried out no executions since then, with the exception of one in 1993. It has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions for more than thirty years, although legislative ambiguity remains. For Amina Bouayach, the vote in favor of the UN moratorium "is a path that human rights defenders hope will lead to a clear legislative decision."

During the closing ceremony, the president of the French National Assembly and France’s ambassador for human rights praised Morocco’s involvement in this international debate, particularly through its hosting of the 10th World Congress. The decision was also welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the opening of the Paris gathering.

Through its participation, the CNDH continued its advocacy against the death penalty. In this context, Bouayach highlighted the growing international momentum, noting that more than 77% of countries worldwide, including Morocco, are committed to refraining from executions. Among them, 62% have abolished the death penalty in both law and practice, while 15% have introduced a voluntary moratorium.