/ / MOROCCO AND THE WESTERN SAHARA: FREE POLITICAL OPPONENT JAILED FOR HIS ACTIVISM

MOROCCO AND THE WESTERN SAHARA: FREE POLITICAL OPPONENT JAILED FOR HIS ACTIVISM

UA: Third 10.23

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Moroccan lawyer and political activist Mohamed Ziane, 84 years old, remains arbitrarily detained since 2022 in El Arjat 1 Prison and is currently being help in prolonged solitary confinement. He was initially sentenced to three years in prison on charges related to insulting public officials. While serving his sentence, he was tried in a separate case in relation to embezzlement and misappropriation of funds, for which he received a five-year sentence on April 8, 2026. According to his lawyer, Mohamed Ziane’s health has seriously deteriorated. In June 2026, prison authorities imposed disciplinary measures after he expressed solidarity with detained activists and critics of the authorities during a phone call with his lawyer.

Moroccan authorities must immediately release Mohamed Ziane and quash his convictions.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: February 17, 2027

Here is how you can take action:

Send a letter to the Moroccan authorities
Send an email to the Moroccan Embassy in Washington DC using the web contact form in Step 2 below
Post on social media

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).

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Step 1

READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION

Enter your email address and zip code to get the sample letter to send to government officials.

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You can now write a letter in your own words or download the sample below as a guide.

Remember to send your letter by February 17, 2027.

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Sample Letter

Your Excellency,

I am gravely concerned about the continued arbitrary detention and deteriorating heath of Mohamed Ziane, an 84-year-old lawyer, former minister, and political activist in El Arjat 1. He was initially convicted in 2022 on charges including “insulting public officials and the judiciary”, “insulting a constituted body”, and defamation in relation to public statements he made, and sentenced to three years in prison.

In 2024, a separate case was opened against him in connection with trumped up allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds from the Moroccan Liberal Party, of which he was president. He was convicted of these charges on April 8, 2026, and his sentence increased from three to five years’. His lawyers have filed an appeal before the Court of Cassation, which remains pending.

Mohamed Ziane’s health has seriously deteriorated during detention. He is being held in prolonged solitary confinement, which is prohibited by international standards. I am further concerned by reports that in June 2026, prison authorities imposed disciplinary measures after Mohamed Ziane expressed solidarity with detained activists and critics of the authorities during a phone call with his lawyer.

I urge you to immediately release Mohamed Ziane, whose detention is linked solely to the exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association. Pending his release, ensure that he has access to adequate health care, end his prolonged solitary confinement, and ensure that he can communicate regularly with his family and lawyers.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Sample Social Post

@ChefGov_ma must immediately release Mohamed Ziane, an 84-year-old lawyer and former minister detained for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and association. End his solitary confinement and ensure adequate health care #UrgentActionNetworkAIUSA

Send a Tweet to @ChefGov_ma

Step 2

Send your message

Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch

Palais Royal Touarga Rabat 10070, Morocco

Fax: +212 53 7771010

@ChefGov_ma

and

CC: Embassy of Morocco in the United States

Ambassador Youssef Amrani

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

3508 International Dr NW,

Washington, DC 20008

Web Contact Form: https://us.diplomatie.ma/form/contact

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

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