Morocco


Constitutional Background

Western Sahara, i.e., the area south of Morocco, has not been marked on the map even though Morocco has ruled the territory since 1976.

The Constitution was significantly amended (to create bicameral legislature) in September 1996.  The amended constitution 1996 is not yet available as an ICL-Edition.
The ICL-Edition is based on the 1992 consolidated version of Morocco's Constitution.

Morocco is a constitutional, hereditary monarchy. The Western Sahara freedom movement Polisario is fighting for independence since 1976. A referendum, promised by Morocco for 1992, did not take place even though UN forces arrived for supervision.

History and News

  • 23 July 1999: Hassan II dies; King Mohammed acceeds to the throne at age 35.:
  • Jan 1997: 20 students are arrested in Casablanca after strike. 
  • 15 June 1993: Elections to Chamber of Representatives (Majlis Nawab).
  • 4 Sep 1992: Constitution revised.
  • 1992: Referendum about Western Sahara does not take place. 
  • Jan 1976: Moroccan forces' annexation of the ex-Spanish colony of Western Sahara.
  • 10 March 1972: New Constitution adopted. Moroccan law still forbids parliamentary inquiry into the vast wealth of the King.
  • 1971: Hassan II survives assassination by army rebels.
  • 1970: Constitutional amendments by Hassan II are banning parliament from debating royal decrees.
  • 1965: By help of Israels Mossad, Hassans leftist opponent, Mehdi Ben Barka, is abducted in Paris and subsequently killed.
  • 1964: Israels Mossad sets up a base in Morocco.
  • 3 March 1961: Accession to throne of King Hassan II.
  • 1958: Crown prince and army chief Hassan puts down a rebellion in the Rif mountains.
  • 2 March 1956: Independence from France.

For methodology see: Comparing Constitutions and International Constitutional Law.
© 1994 - 11.2.2022 / For corrections please contact A. Tschentscher.