Morocco and Iraq signed on Thursday in Rabat a cooperation agreement on the transfer of persons sentenced to prison terms, along with a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of alternative sentences. The agreements were signed by Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi and his Iraqi counterpart Khaled Shwani. The prisoner transfer agreement aims to strengthen joint action and exchange between the two countries in the field of justice, particularly concerning the transfer of convicted persons. The memorandum of understanding on alternative sentences falls within the framework of implementing Law No. 43.22 on alternative penalties. It reflects Morocco's willingness to share its experience in developing legislative frameworks with partner countries, in coordination with stakeholders at both the national and international levels. The agreements followed talks between the two ministers focused on issues of common interest and ways to launch new initiatives to deepen partnership and cooperation between Morocco and Iraq. Speaking to the press, Ouahbi said the prisoner transfer agreement will allow Moroccans imprisoned in Iraq, as well as Iraqis incarcerated in Morocco, to serve the remainder of their sentences in their home countries. He emphasized that the agreement is motivated by «humanitarian considerations within the distinguished relations that unite the two countries». For his part, Iraqi Justice Minister Khaled Shwani stressed that the agreement reflects the efforts made by both ministries to enable convicted persons to serve their sentences in their country of origin. He added that it complies with international standards on the treatment and rights of detainees, noting it was the result of joint efforts by the two ministries over recent months. Regarding the memorandum on alternative sentencing, Shwani said Iraq is preparing to adopt similar legislation, drawing on Morocco's experience in drafting and implementing such a law. The National Coordination of the Families of Detainees and Moroccans Stranded in Syria and Iraq, which campaigns for the repatriation of Moroccans imprisoned in these two countries on terrorism-related charges, welcomed the agreement as «a positive step long awaited by families», noting that nine Moroccans, seven men and two women, are in prison in Iraq on terrorism-related charges.
