Articles for Morocco

Morocco: Arrest and arbitrary detention of Rachid Niny, editor in chief of the daily Al Massae

Mr. Rachid Niny is editor in chief of one of Morocco's biggest Arabic language dailies, Al Massae. He has more than once been prosecuted for writing critical articles. On 28 April 2011 he was summoned to the office of the National Judicial Police Brigade in Casablanca and placed in custody.
18 May 2011
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Morocco: Mohammadia hit by another disappearance

Hicham El Hachimi, a father, 29 living in Al Aliya Al Mohammadia, was arrested on 30 November 2010 without a warrant by plain-clothed police officers. He was then put in a vehicle with more agents and taken to an unknown location.
27 Dec 2010
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Morocco: Increased number of enforced disappearances in Mohammedia

Between 31 October and 1 November 2010 Rachid Tayane, Ahmed Daftare and Said Azzame were disappeared by plain-clothed intelligence officers in Mohammedia. Their families do not know where they are being detained, nor the charges held against them.

Alkarama sent urgent appeals to the Working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances (WGEID) on 14 December 2010 for Mr Tayane, and on 16 December for Mr Daftare and Mr Azzame in the hopes of receiving information regarding their whereabouts. Requests have also been made for their release and/or appearance before a judge.

17 Dec 2010
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Morocco: Carpenter dies in police custody, autopsy claims "suicide"

On 9 feburary 2010, Abderrahim El-Ati was arrested and taken in custody by local police forces in Azemmour. He died less than two hours later.

On 8 december 2010, Alkarama informed the Special Rapporteur on the summary executions, requesting his intervention on on behalf of Mr El-Ati. The aim is to instigate an independent investigation into the the circumstances surrounding M. Al-Ati's death, as well as identifying those responsible.

Abderrahim El-Ati, 23, lived and worked as a carpenter in Azemmour, 70 km east of Casablanca.

09 Dec 2010
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Morocco: Scores of detainees tortured in mass prison transfer

On 9 October 2010, more than 100 detainees were tortured during a mass prison transfer to Kenitra prison. Among them was Youssef Al-Khammal, who was beaten by the prison authorities who violently subdued a prison protest against unfair trials and unacceptable prison conditions.

On 26 November 2010 Alkarama addressed the Special Rapporteur on Torture requesting his intervention with the Moroccan authorities for instigate an investigation into the incident.

27 Nov 2010
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Morocco: Italian "extraordinary rendition" victim tortured during mass prison transfer

Abou Elkassim Britel, an Italian national of Moroccan origins and a victim of "extraordinary rendition" in 2002, was recently tortured during a mass prison transfer to Kenitra prison, 200km west of Fes, in early October 2010.

In March 2002 he was arrested in Pakistan, handed over to the American authorities, who then transferred him to the Moroccan authorities. After one year of secret detention he was released without charge. On his way back to Italy from Morocco, he was once again arrested - this time sentenced to 15 years on the basis of confessions extracted under torture.

21 Nov 2010
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Morocco: Three young men abducted by government agents in Casablanca

On 27 October 2010 Abdellatif Kouibaat and Badr Kounine were kidnapped in Casablanca. Three days later Azdine Braik was abducted while in the streets of Fès. All three were picked up by plain-clothed security agents and taken to an unknown destination. They have not been seen since.

On 17 November 2010 Alkarama sent an urgent appeal to the Working Group on enforced and involuntary disappearances (WGEID), requesting their intervention with Moroccan authorities, so that the three men are freed immediately or at least given adequate legal protection.

17 Nov 2010
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Morocco: Abdellatif Akhdif disappeared, life in danger

Mr Abdellatif Akhdife Ben Bouchaib was abducted by Moroccan security agents on 17 October 2010. He was escorted to an unmarked vehicle, and driven to an unknown location.

On 25 October 2010 Alkarama sent an urgent appeal to the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) requesting it to intervene with the Moroccan authorities in order that Mr Akhdife be released or have placed under legal protection.

25 Oct 2010
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Morocco: Prisoners Transferred en masse to Kenitra Central Prison

Alkarama has been informed that early on Saturday 9 October 2010 Moroccan authorities forcibly transferred between 89 and 140 detainees (according to sources) from prisons in Tangiers, Fes, Meknes, Souk Larbaa, Ben Slimane, Okacha prison complex in Casablanca, and El Jedida to a new building in Kenitra Central Prison.

The detainees were woken up in the early hours of Saturday 9 October 2010, shackled and blindfolded, before being transported to Kenitra Central Prison.

12 Oct 2010
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Morocco: Abductee Remains Disappeared, Authorities Deny Arrest

Rachid Almakki was abducted by intelligence officers on 23 April 2010 in Casablanca and taken to an unknown location.

27 Jul 2010
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