Morocco: Whether a married or unmarried woman (minor or adult) needs her father’s permission to obtain a passport and travel outside her country, and, if so, the proof required (2000–April 2004)
The April 2001 issue of Le Nouvel Afrique-Asie indicated that [translation] “Moroccan women need permission from their guardian, father, husband or eldest brother even to obtain a passport.” The 22 to 28 February 2000 issue of Jeune Afrique noted that, in Morocco, women need [translation] “permission from a male guardian to obtain a passport.”
However, during a 5 April 2004 telephone interview, the viceconsul of the Kingdom of Morocco in Montréal stated that married or unmarried Moroccan women aged 21 and over no longer need permission from a husband, father or guardian to obtain a passport or travel outside the country. The Moroccan representative also said that the new Moroccan Family Code, which came into effect in February 2004, grants men and women the same rights (Consulate General of Morocco 5 Apr. 2004). This information could not be corroborated by other sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
One source stated that the [translation] “Moroccan Family Code was published in the official bulletin on 5 February 2004 and [that it] came into effect immediately” (WLUML 17 Feb. 2004).
The new Moroccan Family Code could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Consulate General of the Kingdom of Morocco [Montréal]. 5 April 2004. Telephone interview with the vice-consul.
Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 22–28 February 2000. No. 2009. Fawzia Zaouari. “Marocaines : que fera le roi?” <http://www.jeuneafrique.com> [Accessed 22 Feb. 2000]
Le Nouvel Afrique Asie [Paris]. April 2001. No. 139. Simon Malley. “Monde arabe. Maroc : Mohammed VI : justice pour les femmes!” http://www.afrique-asie.com/archives/2001/139avr/139mar.htm> [Accessed 5 Apr. 2004]
Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML). 17 February 2004. “Maroc : Code de la famille : ce qui va suivre.” <http://www.wluml.org/french/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd%5B157%5D=x-157-37578%20&cmd%5B189%5D=x-189-37578> [Accessed 5 Apr. 2004]
Additional Sources Consulted
Publications: Africa Confidential, Resource Centre country file.
Internet sites, including: Amnesty International, BBC Africa, Dialog, European Country of Origin Information Network (Ecoi.net), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Rights of the Muslim Women in Morocco, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).