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Rabat – Morocco and Iraq gave new depth to their partnership this week with the signing of two judicial agreements in Rabat.
Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi received his Iraqi counterpart Khaled Shawani on Thursday, in the presence of a high-level delegation visiting Morocco until August 31.
Talks between the two ministers addressed shared concerns and ways to advance bilateral cooperation.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of two key instruments: a convention on the transfer of convicted persons and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in alternative sentences.
The prisoner transfer convention offers a framework for hundreds of Moroccans currently held in Iraq, many in cases tied to extremism or armed groups, to serve their sentences in Morocco.
The agreement draws on the Riyadh Convention of 1983 and seeks to provide a humane solution that takes into account family ties and social reintegration.
Minister Ouahbi described the agreements as an extension of historic ties between Rabat and Baghdad. “Through these conventions, we aim to strengthen relations while protecting the dignity and rights of Moroccan citizens wherever they are,” he said.
For his part, Minister Shawani underlined the significance of cooperation with Morocco in line with international conventions on human rights.
“Allowing prisoners to serve their sentence in their home country, close to their families, reflects the spirit of justice and humanity. This step also reflects Iraq’s appreciation for Morocco’s role in promoting stability in the Arab region,” Shawani noted.
The memorandum on alternative sentences comes as Morocco enforces Law No. 43.22, which introduces non-custodial measures such as community service.
By signing this document, Morocco shares its experience in legal reform and modernization with Iraq, continuing the dialogue that began in Baghdad in March 2023.
These agreements mark the outcome of a lengthy negotiation process and confirm both countries’ will to address sensitive judicial matters through cooperation and mutual understanding.
