In 2019, Morocco's made its first ruling that explicitly criminalized marital rape. This landmark ruling convicted a man to two years of prison, ordered him to pay a fine and to provide compensation to his wife for raping her. On October 10, 2024, the Tangiers Court of Cassation overturned this landmark ruling, annuling a criticial legal precedent that criminalized marital rape, when it referred the case to the Tangiers Appeals Court for futher evaluation of the case. This development is a major set back for women's rights in Morocco as women will no longer have access to protections or remedies if they are raped by their husband. Women will once again become more vulnerable to their agressors, especially since Morocco’s penal code and other legislation do not explicitly criminalize marital rape.
Compiled from: Hanan Salah, “Moroccan court overturns landmark marital rape conviction,” Human Rights Watch, Oct. 24, 2024.