Ouahbi: We Are Negotiating Return of 120 Moroccan Women Detained in Saudi Arabia

Doha – Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi revealed on Tuesday that Morocco is in negotiations with Saudi Arabia for the return of 120 Moroccan women currently detained in the Gulf kingdom. These discussions are taking place as part of broader talks on international judicial cooperation.
Speaking before the Commission on Justice, Legislation, Human Rights and Freedoms at the House of Representatives, Ouahbi explained that the Saudi authorities have promised to release the women after the Hajj pilgrimage season ends.
'We have approximately 120 women detained in Saudi Arabia. We are negotiating to bring them back to Morocco,' Ouahbi said during the session dedicated to approving Bill No. 02.23 on civil procedure.
The women face various charges, including prostitution, fraud, and smuggling of alcohol and drugs, according to the minister. He noted the humanitarian aspect of these cases, pointing out that 'some of these detained women have children, two of them are suffering from advanced cancer, and others are over 55 years old.'
Ouahbi acknowledged that the issue of international rogatory commissions causes him 'psychological problems.' He stated, 'We are currently discussing this matter with Gulf countries to find the optimal solution.'
'The vision is now almost clear, and we are only waiting to reach consensus during the meeting that should bring us together with Arab Justice Ministers this month,' he added.
The minister was addressing Article 618 of the civil procedure bill, which stipulates that international rogatory commissions from abroad are executed in the same manner as those issued within the national territory, in accordance with Moroccan legislation and respecting the principle of reciprocity.
The article also specifies that rogatory commissions to be executed outside the North African country are transmitted through diplomatic channels, or in accordance with international conventions ratified by Morocco and published in the Official Bulletin.
Morocco moves to unify jurisprudence
During the same session, Ouahbi discussed Article 407 of the bill, which aims to unify divergent interpretations of the same legal provision. The article allows the First President of the Court of Cassation to submit cases with contradictory final judicial decisions to all chambers of the Court for a binding interpretation decision.
Ouahbi criticized the lack of harmonization in jurisprudence, giving an example of inconsistent decisions on cases involving bounced checks. 'Some courts order detention for a check of MAD 2,000 ($200), while others refuse to do so for an amount of MAD 5,000 ($500),' he explained.
The minister advocated for these divergences to be submitted to the Court of Cassation so that a uniform jurisprudence becomes binding on all courts in the country.
The Commission approved Bill No. 02.23 on civil procedure by 13 votes in favor and 6 against, with no abstentions.
Read also: Morocco, Saudi Arabia Advance Judicial Cooperation With New Bilateral Agreements

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