Presenting the bill before the Committee on Education, Culture, and Communication in the House of Representatives, the Minister noted that this initiative comes at a time when significant archaeological discoveries have placed Morocco on the global map of archaeology and geology.
The legislation also aligns with Morocco's efforts to prepare for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Bensaid pointed out, emphasizing the importance of showcasing the richness and authenticity of Moroccan heritage, enhancing its legal framework, digitizing it, and combating the illicit trafficking of cultural assets.
The Minister highlighted that the bill aims to strengthen the legal framework for heritage protection to align with international standards ratified by Morocco and ongoing societal and institutional developments, consistent with the 2011 Constitution, while also seeking to turn heritage into a source of wealth and employment by mobilizing necessary funds through public-private partnerships, particularly in cultural and creative industries and archaeological research.
Furthermore, Bensaid noted that the draft law incorporates internationally recognized concepts related to cultural heritage and bolsters provisions in Law 22.80 concerning the preservation of historical monuments, sites, inscriptions, artworks, and antiquities, and seeking to harmonize the national legal framework for protecting, promoting, and transferring cultural heritage with international norms, in line with Morocco's global commitments.
In this context, the Minister recalled the message sent by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to participants of the 17th session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held on November 28, 2022, in Rabat, which highlighted threats to national intangible cultural heritage.
The Minister stressed that HM the King’s message emphasized that since the entry into force of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage, protecting, developing, and promoting this heritage has become a major focus of international relations, adding that any illicit appropriation of another country's cultural and civilizational heritage must be countered, Bensaid reiterated, citing the Royal message.
He further noted that Morocco remains committed to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and plays a leading role in its protection, a commitment reflected in the strengthening of its legal framework and the active implementation of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, as highlighted in the Royal message.
Referring to recent attempts to register Moroccan caftans and Zellige tiles under another country's name at UNESCO, the Minister stressed the need to include provisions in the bill to protect and promote this type of heritage, thereby addressing legal gaps in current legislation and fulfill Morocco’s obligations under international conventions, particularly the 2003 convention.
Among the significant updates introduced in the bill is a revised definition of national cultural heritage and its categories, which now align with international conventions ratified by Morocco and key global legislation in this field, while also accounting for the roles of various government departments.
Bensaid added that the draft law gives special attention to underwater and geological heritage, as well as historic collections with architectural significance. It also highlights the role of "living human treasures" in transmitting knowledge and skills between generations. Additionally, the bill addresses the regulation of art exports and introduces new concepts related to heritage management planning.
The bill also proposes severe penalties to combat violations and strengthen the legal protection of cultural heritage, defining procedures for preserving heritage, particularly through its inclusion on the World Heritage List, which, as the Minister explained, reflects a shared responsibility between property owners and the administration to protect and register such items in the national inventory.