2000s in Morocco
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| History of Morocco |
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In March 2000, women's groups organised demonstrations in
divorce law (divorce being a purely religious procedure at that time). Although a counter-demonstration attracted half a million participants, the movement for change started in 2000 was influential on King Mohammed, and he enacted a new Mudawana
, or family law, in early 2004, meeting some of the demands of women's rights activists.
In July 2002, a crisis broke with Spain over an uninhabited small island lying just less than 200 meters from the Moroccan coast, named Toura (Arabic) or Leila (Berber) by Moroccans, and
Isla Perejil by Spain.[1]
After mediation by the United States, Both Morocco and Spain agreed to return to the status quo by which the Island remains deserted and almost a no man's land.
In September 2002, new legislative elections were held, and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (
Berber-language
instruction was introduced in primary schools, prior to introducing it at all educational levels. In 2004, the government implemented reforms of the family code improving the status of women—first proposed in 2000—despite the objections of traditionalists.
Internationally, Morocco has maintained a moderate stance, with strong ties to the West. It was one of the first Arab and Islamic states to denounce the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally in recognition of its efforts to thwart international terrorism. On January 1, 2006, a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement between the United States and Morocco took effect. The agreement had been signed in 2004 along with a similar agreement with the European Union
, its main trade partner.
In 2005,
Independence Intifada
" by its participants and are supported by the Polisario Front. Sporadic unrest is still occurring in January 2007.
References
- S2CID 144724091.
External links
- Morocco profile from the Library of Congress Country Studies project