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6 clusters · 14 sources · 32 days · First seen · Last updated
Saharawi prisoner and family hunger strikes in Morocco
Overview
Saharawi political prisoners from the Gdeim Izik Group have initiated indefinite hunger strikes across multiple Moroccan prisons. The protesters are denouncing human rights violations and the arbitrary nature of their detention, coinciding with Moroccan legislative elections. The prisoners are demanding the implementation of international treaty body decisions, specifically requesting the right to be transferred to occupied cities in Western Sahara as provided by the Fourth Geneva Convention. Additionally, Mohamed Bourial, a member held at the Ait Melloul prison, announced a 48-hour warning hunger strike seeking an end to his isolation since 2017, the right to family visits, and telephone communication. On September 23, 2026, the Moroccan Prison Administration reported that six out of 19 prisoners in the Gdeim Izik group had submitted hunger strike notices. The administration stated that the protests are not related to detention conditions but are instead “directed by the Polisario Front to coincide with upcoming UN Security Council discussions regarding the Sahara issue.” Officials maintained that prisoners receive medical care, education, and adequate living conditions. By October 7, 2026, the detainees had been on hunger strike for 16 consecutive days. In solidarity, families of the Sahrawi civil detainees announced they would also begin hunger strikes. The Sahrawi Association for Victims of Serious Human Rights Violations (ASVDH) reported that families are protesting the deteriorating health of detainees and the deprivation of fundamental rights. On October 16, 2026, the Gdeim Izik prisoners ended their hunger strike after 23 days. The decision followed commitments from prison authorities to address demands including regrouping prisoners in a single center within Western Sahara, improving detention conditions, guaranteeing fundamental rights, ensuring adequate medical care, and maintaining family contact.
Entities
Polisario Front · Naâma Asfari · Gdeim Izik · Brahim Ghali · United Nations
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
Coverage disagrees
Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.
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"Nine Sahrawi political prisoners from the Gdeim Izik group announced an intention to start an indefinite hunger strike on September 23, 2026."
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"The Moroccan General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) stated that six out of 19 prisoners submitted hunger strike notices on September 23, 2026."
The DGAPR reports that six prisoners submitted hunger strike notices, whereas the SPS agency reports that nine prisoners announced an intention to start a strike.
- [DISPUTED] The Moroccan General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) stated that six out of 19 prisoners submitted hunger strike notices on September 23, 2026.
- [DISPUTED] Nine Sahrawi political prisoners from the Gdeim Izik group announced an intention to start an indefinite hunger strike on September 23, 2026.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The DGAPR claims the hunger strike is directed by the Polisario Front rather than being motivated by detention conditions.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The DGAPR asserts the strike timing coincides with upcoming UN Security Council discussions regarding Western Sahara.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The DGAPR stated that the prisoners' sentences do not match the classification of prisons in the southern provinces.
- [● 3 SOURCES] One prisoner's request for transfer to the southern provinces was granted, moving him to Laayoune.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The prisoners are protesting the denial of their right to be transferred to cities in Western Sahara.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Sahrawi activist Naâma Asfari resumed a hunger strike on September 23, 2026.
Timeline
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesGdeim Izik Sahrawi prisoners end 23-day hunger strike
Sahrawi prisoners from the Gdeim Izik group have ended a 23-day hunger strike following commitments to improve detention conditions and regroup them in a single facility.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesPolisario Front calls for UN intervention over Sahrawi prisoners in Morocco
Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali has urged the UN to intervene regarding the treatment of Sahrawi prisoners in Morocco amid hunger strikes and reports of restricted access for family members.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesSahrawi families launch hunger strike for Gdeim Izik detainees
Families of Sahrawi detainees from the Gdeim Izik group have launched a hunger strike to protest the conditions and rights of their relatives currently held in Moroccan prisons.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesWestern Sahara: Polisario leader appeals to UN as prisoners hunger strike
Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali has appealed to the UN for urgent intervention as Sahrawi prisoners undergo hunger strikes, while Senegal reaffirmed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in Western Sahara.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 6 sourcesGdeim Izik prisoners announce hunger strike in Morocco
Sahrawi prisoners from the Gdeim Izik group have announced an indefinite hunger strike to protest detention and transfer denials, while Moroccan authorities claim the move is directed by the Polisario Front.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesBafatá prison inmates in Guinea-Bissau begin hunger strike
Over 30 inmates at the Bafatá High Security Prison in Guinea-Bissau have begun an indefinite hunger strike to protest being barred from the facility's recreation yard due to a shortage of guards.
Sources
akhbarona.com · algeriepatriotique.com · aljarida24.ma · correiodamanhacanada.com · correiokianda.info · cronicadecantabria.com · humanite.fr · jeune-independant.net · kaosenlared.net · kapitalis.com · labass.net · lesiteinfo.com · naiz.eus · somoscordobeses.com
This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history