Sahrawi Gdeim Izik Prisoners Launch Hunger Strike in Solidarity with Fellow Detainee Amid Renewed Rights Concerns
By Dr. Hana Saada
Laayoune — Members of the Gdeim Izik group of Sahrawi prisoners have launched a two-day warning hunger strike in solidarity with fellow detainee Naama Asfari, whose prolonged open-ended hunger strike has raised growing concerns over his health, according to the Sahrawi Prisoners Protection League.
The collective protest, scheduled for 7 and 8 July, comes as Asfari enters the 29th consecutive day of his hunger strike at Kenitra Central Prison, where he is protesting prison conditions and his continued detention.
In a statement, the Sahrawi Prisoners Protection League said the action was intended to draw attention to Asfari’s deteriorating health condition and to denounce prison conditions, stressing that Sahrawi detainees are subjected to degrading treatment, ill-treatment and other human rights violations.
Families of the prisoners held the Moroccan authorities responsible for the wellbeing of the detainees, calling for urgent humanitarian intervention to protect Asfari’s life and demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all members of the Gdeim Izik group.
They also warned that the warning hunger strike could be followed by further protest actions if their demands remain unmet.
The organisation said the prisoners’ demands are supported by previous findings of international human rights mechanisms. It referred in particular to a 2023 opinion by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which called for an end to arbitrary detention, as well as recommendations issued by the United Nations Committee against Torture concerning allegations of ill-treatment.
The Sahrawi Prisoners Protection League expressed concern over the prisoners’ health and urged the international community, human rights organisations and relevant UN bodies to intensify efforts to ensure respect for international human rights obligations and to press for the protection of the detainees’ rights.
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