Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) will go to Morocco on Thursday to make new agreements on the return of Moroccan prisoners. Today, approximately one in ten detainees in Belgian prisons has Moroccan nationality. Belgium wants to let them serve their sentences in their own country more often to relieve the pressure on overcrowded prisons.
Journalist at HLN
Source: Belga
Belgium has been trying for years to allow Moroccan prisoners to serve their sentences in their own country. In 1997, a first protocol was concluded between Belgium and Morocco. Because few detainees voluntarily agreed to a return, an additional agreement was reached in 2007 under the then Minister of Justice Laurette Onkelinx that also made forced repatriations possible.
In 2012, the first flight with five Moroccan detainees finally left for Rabat. According to Verlinden, new agreements have now been made with the Moroccan authorities. “The results are starting to show: in recent months, the Belgian justice system has already drawn up 33 files,” she says.
Consultation with Moroccan minister
During her visit, Verlinden meets her Moroccan colleague Abdellatif Ouahbi. The ministers will discuss how cooperation and partnerships between Belgium and Morocco in the field of security and justice can be further developed and strengthened. “Increasing the possibilities for these detainees to serve their sentences in Morocco is essential to relieve the pressure on our prison system while ensuring coherent sentencing,” Verlinden said.
The joint fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering is also on the agenda. Verlinden, together with her Moroccan counterpart, says she wants to send the signal “that criminals who think they can escape justice will be disappointed.”
Both countries also want to continue working on a stronger legal framework for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Verlinden wants to focus mainly on the implementation of seizures and confiscations, according to her “one of the most effective instruments to really hit internationally organized crime”.
Also the Moerman file on the table
Verlinden will also discuss the case of Marc Moerman in Morocco. The Belgian was convicted of indecent assault on his son and two plus children. However, according to a Belgian judge and Moerman’s family, there is no evidence for this. Verlinden would like to see him transferred to our country.