Moroccan Woman Arrested for TikTok Video Mocking COVID-19 Restrictions

In early April, a young Moroccan woman, confined in Merzouga, made a small sketch filmed in a living room, which she posted on the social network Tik Tok, says Human Rights watch. In the 15-second video, we see the young woman imitating "Caïda Houria", a woman in uniform who has become famous for her unique way of reprimanding Moroccans who violate the confinement instructions. A masterpiece that makes more than one smile.

But the young woman will be arrested a few days later. Sentenced to two months in prison, she is now staying in the Errachidia prison. She is accused of having worn a camouflage uniform, in violation of Article 382 of the Penal Code which prohibits "publicly wearing, without right, a regulation uniform".

In Tunisia, Emna Chargui faces up to three years in prison. The young blogger has been charged with "incitement to hatred between religions, using hostile or violent means" under Article 52 of the decree-law on press freedom, on May 6. She is accused of having republished, on Facebook, a short text entitled "Sourate Corona", written in a satirical style, like a Koranic surah.

According to Chargui, one of the seven members who subjected her to a rigorous interrogation, "there is no freedom of expression that holds when it comes to religion".