World Law Congress: Jurists plead for Autonomy Plan for the Sahara as a credible and lawful resolution, highlight reform process in Morocco

A delegation of Moroccan legal experts has pleaded,before the 29th World Law Congress in Santo Domingo,Dominican Republic,for the Morocco-proposed autonomy plan for the Sahara,describing the plan as a credible,realistic,and lawful settlement to the long-standing territorial dispute over the Sahara. The delegation members also highlighted the Kingdom’s strategic approach in implementing large-scale reforms in matters of human rights,advanced regionalization,and territorial governance.

The congress,held from May 4 to 6 under the theme “New Generations and the Rule of Law: Forging the Future,” brought together over 300 experts from 70 countries,who gathered around the Dominican Vice President Raquel Peña and the President of the World Jurist Association (WJA),Javier Cremades.

The Moroccan delegation included prominent jurists,namely MP and lawyer Zaina Chahim,and law university professors Zakaria Abouddahab,Abdelaziz Laaroussi,and Hamid Aboulass.

The delegation members participated in several panels,where they highlighted Morocco’s progress in human rights,territorial governance,and advanced regionalization,particularly in the southern provinces of the Kingdom.

Ms. Chahim emphasized,in this connection,the link between inclusive development and territorial integrity,citing the New Development Model initiated in 2015 in the southern provinces,in line with King Mohammed VI’s vision. She also praised the active participation of Sahrawi women in local,regional,and national institutions.

For his part,Zakaria Abouddahab focused on the Sahara issue,stressing that the autonomy plan for the Sahara,submitted to the UN in 2007,represents a form of internal self-determination that respects the principles of the UN Charter and the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice.

Hamid Aboulass made a presentation on Morocco’s advanced regionalization,explaining that it is a lever for local democracy and that the autonomy plan is the natural extension of local democracy in a sensitive geopolitical context.

Abdelaziz Laaroussi defended Morocco’s approach to human dignity,as demonstrated by post-2011 reforms,and the social policies implemented in the Southern provinces of the Kingdom,particularly through the regional commissions of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH).

In a changing international environment,Morocco,through its participation in this major international event,is asserting its position by promoting a legal approach to development and defending,on the global stage,its autonomy initiative for the Sahara as a political solution,respecting international law and preserving people’s dignity.

The congress was marked by the awarding of the 2025 World Peace and Liberty Award to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor,during a ceremony presided over by Dominican President Luis Abinader and King Felipe VI of Spain.