Morocco and Iraq concluded, on Thursday in Rabat, a cooperation agreement on the transfer of persons sentenced to custodial penalties, as well as a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of alternative sentences.
Signed by the Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, and his Iraqi counterpart, Khaled Shwani, the agreement aims to strengthen joint action and fruitful exchanges between the two countries in the field of justice, particularly regarding the transfer of convicted persons.
As for the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of alternative sentences, it falls within the framework of the implementation of Law No. 43.22 on alternative penalties and reflects Morocco’s willingness to share its experience in developing its legislative arsenal with partner countries, in coordination with stakeholders and actors at both national and international levels.
These agreements were signed following talks between the two ministers, which focused on issues of common interest and on ways to launch new initiatives aimed at strengthening partnership and cooperation between the two countries.
In a statement to the press, Ouahbi said that the agreement on the transfer of persons sentenced to custodial penalties will allow Moroccans detained in Iraq, as well as Iraqis incarcerated in Morocco, to return to their countries, noting that it is motivated by “humanitarian considerations within the framework of the distinguished relations that unite the two countries.”
He added that this agreement marks a new stage in Moroccan-Iraqi relations, which will be further strengthened by the signing of additional agreements in various fields, expressing his hope that this cooperation will contribute to bringing the two brotherly peoples closer together and reinforcing prospects for joint action.
For his part, the Iraqi Minister of Justice, Khaled Shwani, stressed that the signing of the agreement on the transfer of convicted persons between his country and the Kingdom falls within the framework of efforts by both ministries to enable individuals sentenced to custodial penalties to serve the remainder of their sentence in their country of origin.
He also pointed out that this agreement complies with international rules concerning the treatment of detainees and their rights, adding that it is the result of joint efforts made by the two ministries over the past period.
With regard to the memorandum of understanding on the law relating to alternative penalties, the Iraqi minister stated that his country will soon adopt similar legislation, after drawing on Morocco’s experience in this field through the exchange of expertise on the methodology of drafting the bill and on the modalities of its implementation.
MAP: 29 August 2025
