Morocco's National Human Rights Council has published a report on the situation of detainees who went on a hunger strike in several prisons across the country. The council's president tasked multidisciplinary teams with visiting the prisoners who had announced their hunger strike. These visits took place on September 29, 2026, and were followed by monitoring visits on October 14 and 15, 2026. The teams were composed of doctors and other specialists who assessed the prisoners' health and well-being.
The council's report stated that the prisoners had gone on a hunger strike to demand their transfer to prisons closer to their families. The detainees claimed that the distance from their families made it difficult for them to receive visits and maintain family ties. However, the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration informed the prisoners that their requests could not be granted, citing the unsuitability of the requested prisons for their sentences.
The council's teams conducted interviews with the prisoners in private, while ensuring the confidentiality of the conversations. The teams also met with prison doctors and reviewed the prisoners' medical files. The report highlighted that the prisoners' health was closely monitored, and they received medical attention when necessary. The council's teams also provided the prisoners with information on the risks associated with hunger strikes and facilitated communication with the relevant authorities.
The report detailed the situation of several prisoners, including Ahmed Sebaai, Mohamed Bashir Boutenkiza, and Hassan Zawi, who were detained at the Central Prison in Kenitra. The three prisoners had gone on a hunger strike on September 23, 2026, and had requested their transfer to prisons closer to their families. The council's team visited them on September 29, 2026, and found that their health was stable, but they were experiencing difficulties.
The report also covered the situation of other prisoners, including Mohamed Lemine Hadi, who was detained at Tifelt 2 Prison. Hadi stated that he was not on a hunger strike and had requested a transfer to a prison closer to his family. The report also mentioned that Abdallah Abah, detained at the same prison, had refused to meet with the council's team during the first visit but was later transferred to a hospital for medical treatment.
The council's report noted that the prisoners' health was closely monitored, and they received medical attention when necessary. The report also highlighted that the prisoners had been provided with the necessary medical care, and their health had stabilized. The council's teams continued to monitor the prisoners' situation and facilitated communication with the relevant authorities.
The hunger strike ended on October 14 and 15, 2026, after the prisoners' demands were partially met. The council's report concluded that the situation of the detainees had improved, and their rights had been respected. The report also highlighted the importance of ensuring the rights of prisoners and providing them with adequate medical care.
Key points
- The Moroccan National Human Rights Council released a report on the situation of detainees who went on a hunger strike in several prisons across the country.
- The prisoners had gone on a hunger strike to demand their transfer to prisons closer to their families.
- The council's report highlighted the importance of ensuring the rights of prisoners and providing them with adequate medical care.
