Rabat – The Moroccan Government adopted on Thursday Bill 43.22 on alternative sentencing, with the aim of alleviating overcrowding in prisons and increasing the level of human rights protection.
The adoption of the bill marks a significant milestone in Morocco’s commitment to human rights, said the government’s spokesperson Mustapha Baitas in a press briefing following the government council meeting yesterday.
The bill primarily aims to address prison overcrowding, facilitate the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals serving sentences into society, and reduce costs, Baitas indicated, commending the government’s “courage” to enact the legislation in a timely manner.
He indicated that the bill aligns with King Mohammed VI’s vision of developing alternative dispute resolution methods, as outlined in his 2009 speech commemorating the 56th anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People.
During the speech, the monarch underlined the advantages of alternative penalties and called for the application of mediation, arbitration, and conciliation as means of resolving conflicts.
Baitas noted that the government, through the adoption of the bill, aims to strike a balance between punishment and the protection of individual rights.
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The authority to grant alternative sentencing will rest with the judge, who can impose penalties such as community service, electronic surveillance, or the restriction of certain rights.
Alternative sentences will only apply to offenders who have received a short-term prison sentence of five years or less, and committed certain crimes.
Crimes that are not eligible for alternative sentencing include offenses related to terrorism, international drug trafficking, human trafficking, rape, state security, embezzlement, treason, corruption, abuse of influence, misappropriation of public funds, money laundering, and sexual exploitation of minors or individuals with disabilities.
The measure also excludes repeat offenders, preserving imprisonment only for those who pose a significant risk of reoffending.
