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Morocco Introduces Whistleblower Protection Law to Combat Corruption

Rabat, Morocco - In a major step towards increasing transparency and accountability in government agencies, Morocco has introduced a new draft law aimed at protecting whistleblowers who report corruption.

Background

The Moroccan Minister of Administration and Public Service announced the introduction of the draft law on February 15, 2019. This move is seen as a significant development in Morocco’s efforts to combat widespread corruption, which has long plagued the country’s public sector.

Key Provisions

Under the new legislation, public officials who report corruption-related activities will be protected from adverse actions that could threaten their employment. The government has stated that the law is intended to fulfill Morocco’s commitment as a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

Here are some key provisions of the law:

  • Public officials who report corruption-related activities will be protected from adverse actions, including job loss or retaliation.
  • The law aims to create a safe and secure environment for public officials to report wrongdoing without fear of reprisal.
  • The Moroccan Criminal Code currently addresses corruption-related crimes in section IV, with penalties ranging from imprisonment and fines for officials found guilty of accepting or offering bribes.

Context

In recent years, Morocco has taken steps to combat corruption, including:

  • Launching a national anti-corruption strategy in 2016
  • Implementing measures to improve transparency through electronic record-keeping
  • Establishing the National Anti-Corruption Authority, which is tasked with drafting anti-corruption policies and raising awareness about ethical standards

Impact

The introduction of the whistleblower protection law is seen as a major breakthrough in Morocco’s efforts to increase accountability and transparency in government agencies. It is expected that the legislation will have far-reaching implications for corruption reporting and will help to create a culture of integrity within public institutions.

The Moroccan government has expressed its commitment to ensuring that the new law is implemented effectively, with the aim of creating a safe and secure environment for whistleblowers to report corruption without fear of reprisal.