Un prisonnier politique sahraoui en grève de la faim pour dénoncer des années de violences dans les geôles marocaines
Summary of the Situation of Sahrawi Political Prisoner Hassan Dah
In Kenitra, Morocco, Hassan Dah, a Sahrawi political prisoner and member of the Gdeim Izik group, has begun a hunger strike to protest against the inhumane treatment he has endured in prison. This decision has been corroborated by his family, who spoke to Sahrawi human rights defenders. They reported that Dah has faced systematic harassment, verbal abuse, and torture at the hands of the prison officials.
According to the available information, Dah’s hunger strike is a response to ongoing mistreatment by the prison authorities, which includes repeated insults and psychological harassment. His family has highlighted that he has experienced physical and psychological torture, notably spending time in isolation. A particularly alarming incident occurred in December 2024, when he was reportedly bound, chained, and left without clothing for nine days in the harsh winter conditions.
In addition to the abuse, the prison’s administration has deliberately obstructed Dah’s academic pursuits. He is currently working on a doctoral thesis in international law and international relations. However, he has been denied access to books and faced constant harassment—issues that reflect a broader pattern within Moroccan prisons where Sahrawi prisoners are systematically impeded in their educational journeys. This treatment violates international conventions that safeguard prisoners’ rights to education and further training.
Hassan Dah is not an isolated case; he is among numerous Sahrawi political prisoners incarcerated following the violent dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in 2010. These individuals have faced unfair trials, often criticized by international organizations for lacking legal protections and relying on confessions obtained through coercion and torture.
Human rights organizations, along with the international community, have frequently condemned the appalling conditions faced by Sahrawi prisoners, especially in places like Kenitra Prison, where fundamental human rights are routinely violated. The injustices surrounding Hassan Dah and his fellow prisoners reflect a troubling reality regarding the treatment of political dissent in Morocco and highlight the urgent need for international attention and action.
