INCREASING FOCUS ON PRISON REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001063 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/MAG, DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2011 TAGS: MO PHUM PREL SUBJECT: INCREASING FOCUS ON PRISON REFORM REF: A. 05 RABAT 02287 ¶B. 05 RABAT 02288 ¶C. RABAT 00181 Classified By: Political Counselor Timothy Lenderking, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: A number of activities are coming together in Morocco to give impetus to prison reform, an area for improvement which is highlighted in the annual human rights report. The Government of Morocco (GOM) through the Ministry of Justice (MOJ),Directorate of Prisons, recognizes the many reforms that must take place in the prison system, such as improving conditions, food, and training opportunities, as well as updating the physical structures. Along with these infrastructural needs, the GOM recognizes that legal, penal code, changes are necessary, i.e., individuals are sentenced to prison terms when these may not be necessary. End Summary. ¶2. C) Tunis-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegate Marc Bouvier, following up on the visit two weeks earlier of Bernard Pfefferle (Reftel C),visited Poloffs May 25 to learn more about custodial laws and practices of the Moroccan security forces in preparation for advancing the ICRC's agreement with the GOM on prison access. Bouvier said that, based on his meetings in Rabat, he believed there was a strong will within the MOJ's Directorate of Prisons to improve prison conditions. Bouvier said the ICRC would hold the line on the issue of full and private access to Moroccan prisoners, regardless of crimes. If a agreement is signed with Morocco, the ICRC would likely open an office in Rabat. Bouvier added that the atmosphere in Morocco on judicial issues is more open now than it was several years ago. ¶3. (C) During a June 2 meeting with Adrian Chapman, second secretary of the British Embassy, Poloffs discussed the SIPDIS recent British-organized conference on prison reform, which was held in Marrakech. While Chapman said little concrete in terms of actual action plans to implement reforms emerged from the conference, he characterized it as a success because it brought together governmental and nongovernmental (NGO) players from several different countries. The countries represented were Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Afghanistan. Iran was originally scheduled to participate but did not at the last minute. Discussions were open, according to Chapman, with individuals recognizing the importance of change. When a Saudi Arabian representative suggested that criminals should have their sentences reduced by half for memorizing the Qur'an, there was little support from other representatives. He said the small Algerian delegation had made useful contributions. ¶4. (C) The Moroccan Prison Observatory (OMP) was not invited to the conference. Chapman indicated that the GOM did not want the OMP to participate as it felt the OMP's reports on the prison system were inaccurate. The OMP, through Management Systems Incorporated (MSI),is the recent recipient of a Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) grant. The first phase of this eighteen-month grant is institutional and capacity building of the OMP. Prior to the grant, there had never been a board of trustees separate from those who administered the small office. These two functions have now been separated. The new director of OMP is a former prison official. Presently, OMP is receiving administrative training from MSI. Post will keep the Department informed of the progress of this NGO. ¶5. (C) Comment: The GOM seems to be taking seriously its obligation to enhance the prison system and to follow international norms. While it is also clear (reftels) that there is a funding shortage, the MOJ-Directorate of Prisons is actively engaging British support and now US support to improve the system. End Comment. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley