Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT1063
2006-06-02 16:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:  

INCREASING FOCUS ON PRISON REFORM

Tags:  MO PHUM PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRB #1063 1531618
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 021618Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3899
INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 4014
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 2961
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT PRIORITY 3189
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 4225
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0626
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 8902
RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA PRIORITY 1751
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)

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