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The Zouj Beghal land border crossing between Morocco and Algeria was exceptionally opened on Tuesday to facilitate the repatriation of dozens of Moroccans who had served prison sentences in Algerian prisons.
The Moroccan Association for the Assistance of Migrants in Difficult Circumstances in Oujda (AMAM) reported that 60 Moroccans, including a young woman, were returned in three groups of 20. These individuals had been incarcerated in various Algerian prisons, including Oran, Tlemcen, Ain Temouchent, Tiaret, Bchar, and Sidi Bel Abbes. The handover process was completed using either passports or national identity cards.
AMAM monitored the process throughout the day, maintaining contact with those released after they crossed the border. The association communicated with former detainees from numerous Moroccan cities, including Figuig, Casablanca, Oujda, Meknes, Marrakech, Taourirt, Driouch, Taza, Fez, Tetouan, Nador, Taounate, Jerada, Berkane, Wazzan, El Qalaa, Azilal, Boulman, and Salé.
Many of the released individuals suffer from chronic conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, and hypertension. Some had served sentences ranging from three years to six months, with over nine months spent in administrative detention.
AMAM emphasized that hundreds of young people remain in administrative detention awaiting deportation. Despite previous technical and procedural challenges, an apparent agreement between the Algerian and Moroccan authorities, facilitated by the three consulates, has enabled this initial repatriation.
The association also highlighted that numerous Moroccans remain in pre-trial detention or are currently on trial, with over 320 individuals affected. Additionally, six bodies await repatriation.
The association had previously threatened international action on this issue, having engaged with Algerian authorities, including the president, as well as the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Council for Human Rights, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Despite this recent progress, AMAM stressed the ongoing complexity of the situation, particularly given the severed diplomatic relations between the two countries.
