Moroccan prisoners who are currently incarcerated in Iraq find themselves in a state of uncertainty as they continue to wait for their transfer back to Morocco, nearly a year after both nations signed a pivotal agreement aimed at allowing these detainees to serve the remainder of their sentences in their home country. This agreement, which was formalized last August by Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and his Iraqi counterpart Khaled Chouani, was anticipated to bring closure to the prolonged distress faced by the families of Moroccan detainees held in Iraqi prisons.
According to prior reports from Hespress, which referenced information from Morocco's Justice Ministry, the planned transfer was expected to encompass nine Moroccan detainees, including two women, along with their relatives and children. The execution of this transfer was to be facilitated through legal frameworks that had been mutually established by both countries. However, the significant delay in the transfer process has reignited concerns among families, particularly as many detainees are experiencing deteriorating health conditions following extensive periods of imprisonment.
Abdelaziz El Bakkali, the general coordinator of the Coordination of Families of Moroccan Detainees and Missing Persons in Iraq, expressed to Hespress the growing anxiety among older detainees and their families due to the stagnation of the process. He emphasized that some of these prisoners have been incarcerated for over 20 years and had viewed the agreement as their final opportunity to return to Morocco. The ongoing delay, according to El Bakkali, has led to rising frustration within the prison system and among families who are eagerly awaiting reunification.
Furthermore, El Bakkali noted that the coordination group continues to receive distressing appeals from detainees, particularly those suffering from chronic illnesses or age-related health issues. He highlighted the dire circumstances of Moroccan detainees Leila El Kasmi and Ibtissam El Houzi, who are currently held at Al Rusafa prison, stating that both women are grappling with multiple health challenges and are in a 'tragic' state. Families of the detainees are urgently calling upon both Moroccan and Iraqi authorities to expedite the implementation of the agreement, as they seek to alleviate the suffering of their loved ones.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
