House of Representatives Adopts a Government Bill on Fighting Money Laundering and Ratifies Five International Agreements
The House of Representatives unanimously adopted on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, a Government Bill on fighting money laundering and five international agreements with the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United Nations. The adoption took place during a plenary sitting chaired by the Speaker of House of Representatives Habib El Malki and attended by Minister of Justice Mohammed Ben Abdelkader and Minister Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, in Charge of Moroccan Expatriates Nezha El Ouafi.
In her presentation of the Government bills ratifying the international agreements, Ms. Nezha El Ouafi noted that these agreements are part of the strategic approaches of the Kingdom of Morocco aiming at consolidating and diversifying its partnerships in various diplomatic, political, economic, social, and environmental sectors. These agreements are four bilateral agreements with the Russian Federation and Ukraine and one multilateral agreement with the United Nations, namely:
- Government Bill 77.20 ratifying a cooperation agreement on fisheries between the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Government of the Russian Federation (Rabat on September 14, 2020, and Moscow on October 14, 2020),
- Government Bill 18.20 ratifying a judicial cooperation agreement in civil and commercial cases between the Kingdom of Morocco and Ukraine (Marrakech on October 21, 2019),
- Government Bill 17.20 ratifying an agreement on the transfer of convicts between the Kingdom of Morocco and Ukraine (Marrakech on October 21, 2019),
- Government Bill 16.20 ratifying an agreement on judicial assistance in criminal proceedings and extradition between the Kingdom of Morocco and Ukraine (Marrakech on October 21, 2019),
- Government Bill 75.20 ratifying an agreement between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Nations on the establishment of a UNOCT Programme Office under the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco (October 6, 2020).
The cooperation agreements with Ukraine aim to step up cooperation between the two countries in the judiciary, while the cooperation agreement with Russia intends to develop and advance bilateral cooperation in fisheries, fishing economy, and the related sectors. On the other hand, the cooperation agreement with the UN is part of the UN strategy to combat terrorism, adopted unanimously by the UN General Assembly in 2006, and which aims to support counter-terrorism programs and build the capacities of the member States in this area.
The House of Representatives also adopted Government Bill 12.18 amending and supplementing the criminal code and Law 43.05 relative to fighting money laundering. In his statement on this occasion, the Minister of Justice noted that money-laundering crimes are cross-border organized crimes linked to more dangerous crimes. He also highlighted that the Kingdom of Morocco, an actor in the competent international and regional organizations and a serious and trusted international partner in the global efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime, is committed to fulfill its engagements and adapt its related national legislation to international instruments.
The aforementioned Government Bill aims to track unlawful money and control it ahead of its confiscation. It also aims to adapt the national legal system to the international standards adopted by the Financial Action Task-Force and to overcome the shortcomings in the current laws. The Government bill includes several novelties that involve adding disciplinary measures to the punishments issued by the supervision and control authorities. The Bill also increases the minimum and maximum fines imposed on individuals involved in money laundering, consolidates the vigilance and internal control measures, and creates a public register to determine the actual beneficiaries of the legal entities established in Morocco.
During the open debate, the representatives of the parliamentary groups and caucus noted the importance of adopting this Bill as it is linked to the international engagements of our country, contributes to consolidating the position of Morocco in attracting foreign investments and acquiring foreign funds and consecrates its position among the countries that adopt effective counter-terrorism strategies.
The representatives called for more vigilance to effectively address money-laundering crimes and implement the provisions of this law. The parliamentary groups and caucus contributed to ameliorating the Bill by introducing important amendments. These were 85, out of which 32 were approved