Amnesty International Calls for Fair Retrial of Moroccan Hirak Protesters, Citing Rights Violations

For the human rights organization, the analysis of the trial "reveals several violations of the right to a fair trial, including convictions based on ’confessions’ obtained under torture." It lists the names of the detainees, the charges against them and the sentences handed down.

"The first instance procedure resulted in a flagrant miscarriage of justice. The Moroccan government used this flawed legal procedure to punish and silence prominent peaceful protesters demanding more social justice and to deter citizens from expressing themselves," said Heba Morayef, North Africa and Middle East Director at Amnesty International.

"The Moroccan judicial authorities must ensure that the appeal trial does not amount to another sham of justice marred by complaints of torture and other violations of the right to a fair trial. They must show that they are determined to deliver justice and take concrete measures to exclude all confessions obtained under torture or threat of torture and ensure that all fair trial rights are respected during the appeal proceedings."

AI recalls that in June 2018, 54 people linked to the social justice protests of the Hirak El-Rif movement were sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. Eleven of them were granted a royal pardon in August and the remaining 43 are now being retried by the Casablanca Court of Appeal.