Rights Advocates Pressure Morocco to Release Activist Fouad Abdelmoumni
Nearly 300 rights advocates petition Morocco to release activist Fouad Abdelmoumni, sentenced to six months for alleging state misconduct. The petition reveals concerns over freedom of expression and calls for an end to repressive policies targeting political dissent. Notable figures support calls for reform and the release of political prisoners throughout the region.
In a significant display of solidarity, approximately 300 rights advocates from North Africa and France have signed a petition urging Morocco to release human rights activist Fouad Abdelmoumni, who was recently sentenced to six months in prison for allegedly disseminating false claims online. His conviction stems from a Facebook post asserting that Moroccan authorities were spying on France, a charge he was prosecuted under the penal code rather than the press code, which does not impose prison sentences.
The petition, which had garnered 295 signatures by Monday, highlights concerns that Abdelmoumni’s prosecution represents a broader trend of repression aimed at stifling advocates for human rights and freedom of expression throughout the region. Signatories, including notable figures such as former Doctors Without Borders president Rony Brauman and French-Tunisian historian Sophie Bessis, emphasized the need for an annulment of Abdelmoumni’s sentence and the release of all political prisoners in Morocco and the Maghreb.
During a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron, who sought to improve diplomatic relations with Morocco, Abdelmoumni’s post reiterated accusations of espionage against France, coinciding with a period of heightened tensions stemming from earlier espionage allegations related to Morocco’s use of Pegasus spyware. Such spyware is claimed to have infiltrated mobile devices to extract data, drawing criticism from international organizations like Amnesty International.
In conclusion, the petition to annul Fouad Abdelmoumni’s prison sentence reflects widespread concern over governmental repression in Morocco and the treatment of individuals advocating for human rights. Advocates emphasize the necessity for legal reforms that uphold freedom of expression, while also calling for the liberation of political prisoners. The case symbolizes ongoing struggles faced by activists in North Africa and highlights urgent issues surrounding state surveillance and the implications for diplomatic relations.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
