Sahrawi activist Naâma Asfari's health deteriorates as hunger strike reaches 40 days

Naâma Asfari, a Sahrawi human‑rights activist who has been imprisoned in Morocco for more than 15 years, has been on an unlimited hunger strike since 8 June. After entering the 40th day of the strike, she has lost nearly 10 kg and her family reports that they have had no contact with her since the previous Monday, describing her condition as “extremely critical” and “at the brink of death.”

The situation prompted a public demonstration in Madrid on 20 July, organized by members of the Spanish left‑wing parties IU and Sumar, calling on the international community to pressure Morocco to release Asfari and all Sahrawi political prisoners. Her family and the International Network for the New Socialism have appealed to the United Nations, the UN Committee Against Torture, and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to intervene and ensure her right to health and communication with lawyers.