The United Nations Human Rights Committee has adopted new urgent interim measures in favour of Mr. Mohamed Zian, former Minister of Human Rights, former President of the Rabat Bar Association, leader of the Moroccan Liberal Party, who has been arbitrarily detained since November 2022.
The decision follows additional information submitted by Alkarama on 6 July 2026 concerning the deterioration of his situation in detention.
Referral to the Human Rights Committee
Acting on behalf of Mr. Zian’s family, Alkarama submitted an individual communication to the Committee on 24 February 2024, together with a request for urgent interim measures in view of his advanced age and state of health. On 28 February 2024, the Committee called on Morocco to adapt his sentence on humanitarian and medical grounds and to protect Mr. Zian and his family from any intimidation or reprisals related to the proceedings before the United Nations.
However, these requests have never been implemented. Instead, Mr. Zian has remained in detention while his condition has continued to deteriorate. In light of the authorities’ persistent failure to comply with the Committee’s requests, Alkarama also referred the case to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on 14 May 2024.
Since then, Alkarama has maintained close coordination with Mr. Zian’s legal team and family, regularly bringing to the Committee’s attention developments concerning his health, conditions of detention, and the risk of reprisals arising from his cooperation with United Nations mechanisms.
Deterioration of His Health
In this context, on 6 July 2026, Alkarama submitted new information provided by Mr. Zian’s relatives regarding disciplinary measures imposed against him, including restrictions on his access to his prison account, the resulting deterioration of his health, and the continuing risk of reprisals linked to his cooperation with United Nations mechanisms.
After examining this information, the Committee decided to adopt urgent interim measures. It requested Morocco to ensure that Mr. Zian has effective access to adequate food, sufficient water, and the medical care required by his age and health condition, and to refrain from taking any measures that could further undermine his physical integrity or constitute reprisals against him, his family, or his legal counsel.
A Reminder of the State Party’s Obligations
The Committee also recalled that the interim measures adopted on 28 February 2024 remain fully in force. The State party therefore remains under an obligation to adapt Mr. Zian’s sentence on humanitarian and medical grounds and to ensure protection for him and his family against any intimidation or reprisals.
Through this new decision, the Committee has reaffirmed the urgency of Mr. Mohamed Zian’s situation. More than two years after its initial decision, it has once again reminded Morocco of its obligation to comply without delay with the interim measures and to fulfil its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.