Rabat: Morocco and Iraq have entered into a significant agreement to enhance judicial cooperation, marked by the signing of an accord between the Moroccan Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, and his Iraqi counterpart, Khaled Shwani. This agreement aims to fortify joint actions and foster productive exchanges in the realm of justice, particularly concerning the transfer of convicted persons.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the area of alternative sentences aligns with the implementation of Law No. 43.22 on alternative penalties. It underscores Morocco’s commitment to sharing its legislative advancements with partner nations, collaborating with stakeholders at both national and international levels. The agreements follow discussions between the two ministers, focusing on mutual interests and devising new initiatives to strengthen partnerships between the two countries.

In a press statement, Minister Ouahbi highlighted that the agreement for the tr
ansfer of individuals sentenced to custodial penalties would allow Moroccan detainees in Iraq and Iraqi inmates in Morocco to serve their sentences in their home countries. He emphasized that this initiative is driven by humanitarian considerations and is set within the framework of the strong bilateral relations between the two nations. Ouahbi noted that this accord signifies a new phase in Moroccan-Iraqi relations, with expectations for further agreements across various sectors, ultimately bringing the two peoples closer and enhancing prospects for joint efforts.

Iraqi Minister Khaled Shwani remarked that the agreement on transferring convicted individuals is part of both ministries’ efforts to enable detainees to serve their sentences in their countries of origin, in accordance with international standards concerning detainee treatment and rights. He acknowledged the cooperative endeavors of the ministries that culminated in this agreement.

Regarding the memorandum on alternative penalties, Minister Shwa
ni revealed that Iraq plans to adopt similar legislation soon, benefiting from Morocco’s experience through expert exchanges on drafting and implementing relevant laws.