[REVISION HISTORY]

Saharawi prisoner and family hunger strikes in Morocco

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2026-10-09 10:19 UTC → 2026-10-16 20:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~Furthermore, the League for~~ On October 16, 2026, the ~~Protection of Sahrawi Prisoners in Moroccan Prisons stated that families of Mohamed Bachir Boutenkiza and El-Houcine Zaoui were prevented~~ Gdeim Izik prisoners ended their hunger strike after 23 days. The decision followed commitments from ~~visiting them at the Kenitra~~ prison ~~for two consecutive Wednesdays without legal justification.~~ 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.

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