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Morocco

06 April 2020 – Morocco

6 April 2020
Visitors Wait Outside the Oukacha Prison in Casablanca, lesiteinfo.com, (https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296631/covid-19-new-preventive-measures-for-moroccan-prisons/)
Visitors Wait Outside the Oukacha Prison in Casablanca, lesiteinfo.com, (https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296631/covid-19-new-preventive-measures-for-moroccan-prisons/)

Rights groups have expressed concern regarding migrants and refugees in the country, urging the government to take steps to protect vulnerable sections of society. An important transit country for sub-Saharan migrants seeking passage to Europe, large numbers of migrants – particularly those who are undocumented – lack any form of assistance or support. In a statement, six human rights bodies urged the country’s authorities to issue travel authorisations to all persons, regardless of their administrative status; to allow the automatic extension of residency permits until the end of the ‘confinement period’; and to ensure that all official information is translated into English and French so that all persons can access and understand the self-protection measures. (Specific regarding those in detention, however, were not mentioned.)

The General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) announced new measures on 18 March, aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19. The number of visitors has been restricted to one person per detainee, once a month. The DGAPR has stated that no Covid-19 infections have been recorded among detainees or employees of prisons throughout the country. On 21 March 2020, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports decided to send 251 children back home to their families.