The Moroccan Observatory of Prisons is an independent non-governmental organization created in 1999 by human rights activists to protect and promote the rights of detainees.

It acts as an observatory of penitentiary conditions in Morocco, as a unit of legal assistant to the detainees and of treatment of the grievances, as a center of research, information, training, and advocacy for a more humane prison and to improve the legislative framework in accordance with international standards in this area.

General Objectives

• - Protection and promotion of the rights of detainees
• - Reform of the penal and prison legal system that guarantees the protection of human rights and the dignity of detainees

Through its various programs and activities, the OMP aims to:

• - Broaden the mobilization for the reform of the penal code, the code of criminal procedures, the law 23/98 on prisons in line with international standards;
• - Formulate proposals and recommendations and strengthen the dialogue for the adoption and implementation of normative frameworks and measures for:

> The rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration of minors and prisoners / and the fight against recidivism.
> Alternative sentences.

• - Promote multi-stakeholder dialogue and consultation for the implementation of the provisions of the ICCPR, Mandela’s rules …, by the national courts;
• - Strengthen the capacity of CSOs to carry out monitoring and awareness-raising activities to contribute to the protection of prisoners’ fundamental rights, to draft reports on the situation of prisoner and prisons, to provide humanitarian support to detainees and their families, and to develop networks of solidarity and legal assistance;
• - Strengthen the capacity of prison administration professionals to respect the law and international standards relating to the human rights of prisoners;
• - Strengthen the capacity of justice professionals, including lawyers, to respect the law and international standards relating to the human rights of prisoners, to provide legal assistance to detainees, to handle grievances, etc. ;
• - Sensitize officials and public opinion to prison and penal issues;
• - Participate in the abolitionist fight against the death penalty;
• - Inform, raise awareness, develop networks and circuits of solidarity and expertise towards foreign prisoners in Morocco and Moroccans detained abroad;
• - Structure and strengthen the organizational, operational, and strategic capabilities of the OMP;
• - Consolidate and develop partnerships, expand and strengthen national and international networks