Morocco and Western Sahara
Authorities continued to crush dissent, disperse peaceful protests and restrict the activities of several organizations they deemed oppositional. They tightened their crackdown on Sahrawi activists. Criminalization of abortion led to at least one girl dying as a result of an unsafe abortion following rape. Border guards used excessive force against people attempting to cross the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, causing at least 37 deaths. Domestic legislation remained inadequate to protect and promote the right to a clean and healthy environment.
In October 2022, the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was renewed until until 31 October 2023, but still lacked a human rights mandate. Human rights organizations could still not access Western Sahara and Polisario camps.
Relevant Links
- 2022/23 Human Rights Report (Morocco and Western Sahara)
- Morocco: Conduct an impartial investigation into the unlawful death of Yassine Chabli
- Morocco/Western Sahara: Oral Statement to the UN Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
- Morocco: Submission to the UN Committee on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families: 36th Session, 27 February – 6 April 2023
- Morocco: Human rights lawyer sentenced in absentia: Mohamed Ziane
- Morocco/Western Sahara: Further information: Human rights defender’s conviction upheld: Rida Benotmane
- Saudi Arabia: Hassan Al Rabea’s Extradition Constitutes a Grave Violation of Morocco’s International Obligations
- Morocco: Man at risk of forcible return and torture: Hassan Al Rabea
- Morocco: “They beat him in the head, to check if he was dead”: Evidence of crimes under international law by Morocco and Spain at the Melilla border
- Morocco: Human rights defender jailed for online posts: Rida Benotmane
- Morocco/Western Sahara: Further information: Activist successfully leaves home after 18 months: Sultana Khaya
- Morocco and Western Sahara: Further information: Sahrawi activist beaten by prison guards: Mohamed Lamine Haddi
- Morocco: Journalist targetMorocco/Western Sahara: Further information: Investigate violations against raped activist: Sultana Khayaed by authorities faces trial
- Morocco: Ensure fair appeal trial to journalist Omar Radi
- Morocco: Joint letter to Moroccan Prime Minister on the case of Idris Hasan
- The Human Rights Crackdown in Western Sahara and The Need For Action by the Biden Administration
Spain and Morocco: Demand justice for dead and missing at Melilla
On 24 June 2022, people attempting to cross into Melilla through a border crossing between Spain and Morocco were met with a shocking display of unlawful force by Moroccan and Spanish security forces. At least 37 Black people – mostly from sub-Saharan Africa – died unlawfully and 77 are missing. Their loved ones still don’t have answers about what happened to them.
Join us to demand truth, justice and reparations for the victims and their families.
Morocco/Western Sahara News
October 9, 2019 • Report
Human Rights Defenders in Morocco Targeted Using Malicious NSO Israeli Spyware
Two prominent human rights defenders in Morocco have been targeted using surveillance technology developed by the Israeli-based company NSO Group, according to new research published by Amnesty Tech today.
February 26, 2019 • Report
Human rights in the Middle East and North Africa: A review of 2018
The international community’s chilling complacency towards wide-scale human rights violations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has emboldened governments to commit appalling violations during 2018 by giving them …
February 18, 2016 • Report
Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
May 18, 2015 • Report
Shadow of Impunity: Torture in Morocco and Western Sahara
Beatings, stress positions, asphyxiation, simulated drowning, psychological and sexual violence are among an array of torture techniques used by Moroccan security forces to extract “confessions” to crimes or silence activists and crush dissent, according to a new Amnesty International report published today.
February 25, 2015 • Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
September 26, 2014 • Report
My Body My Rights
All over the world, people are coerced, criminalized and discriminated against, simply for making choices about their bodies and their lives. In the face of these continuing violations, Amnesty International launches MY BODY MY RIGHTS, a new global campaign to defend sexual and reproductive rights for all.
May 21, 2013 • Report
Annual Report: Morocco/Western Sahara 2013
Kingdom of Morocco Head of state King Mohamed VI Head of government Abdelilah Benkirane The authorities restricted freedom of expression and prosecuted critics of the monarchy and state institutions as …
July 13, 2011 • Report
Annual Report: Morocco/Western Sahara 2011
Head of state: King Mohamed VI Head of government: Abbas El Fassi Death penalty: abolitionist in practice Population: 32.4 million Life expectancy: 71.8 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 43/29 per 1,000 …
March 26, 2011 • Report
Morocco/Western Sahara: Broken Promises: The Equity and Reconciliation Commission and its Follow-up
This report provides an assessment by Amnesty International of the work of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission and the...
March 26, 2011 • Report
Morocco/Western Sahara: No more half measures: Addressing enforced disappearances in Morocco and Western Sahara
In a significant break with the past in Morocco and Western Sahara, King Mohamed VI established the Equity and...
