Occupied El-Aaiun, 17 July 2026 (SPS) – The family of Sahrawi prisoner and human rights defender Naâma Asfari has expressed deep concern and dismay over losing contact with him since Monday, amid his continued detention at the local prison in Kenitra, Morocco, with no information or reassurance regarding his health condition.
Several days have now passed since contact was cut off, heightening the family's fears for his life and safety, particularly as he enters the 40th day of his open-ended hunger strike.
The loss of contact comes as Naâma Asfari has been on an open-ended hunger strike since 8 June, reaching 40 days today amid a worrying deterioration in his health. He has lost approximately 10 kilograms, raising fears of serious health consequences that could threaten his life.
The family stresses that Naâma Asfari's demands are legitimate and primarily concern the Moroccan authorities' implementation of decisions and views issued by United Nations mechanisms, foremost among them the decision of the UN Committee against Torture in case No. CAT/C/69/D/606/2014 and the opinion of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention No. WGAD/2023/23. Both call on the Moroccan authorities to release him, provide redress for the harm inflicted upon him and respect their international human rights obligations.
In view of this dangerous situation, the family of Naâma Asfari holds the Moroccan authorities, particularly the so-called General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration, fully responsible for these serious developments and for any deterioration in his health or consequences affecting his physical safety or life as a result of the continued hunger strike, especially amid the ongoing disregard for his legitimate demands and the denial of contact between him and his family since Monday.
The family calls for the immediate disclosure of his health condition, for him to be allowed to communicate with his family and lawyers without restrictions, and for his legitimate demands to be addressed, foremost among them the implementation of the UN decisions and opinions that have clearly called for his release.
The family also appeals to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, special rapporteurs, all UN mechanisms and international and national human rights organizations to intervene urgently to protect his life, ensure respect for his fundamental rights and pressure the Moroccan authorities to fulfil their international obligations.
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