Sahrawi Gov’t, Rights Lawyers Demand Urgent Global Action Over Detained Activist

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH) have called for urgent international intervention over the deteriorating health of Sahrawi political prisoner and human rights defender, Naama Asfari, warning that his life is in imminent danger after more than a month on hunger strike.

In separate statements issued on Monday, the two organisations expressed deep concern over Asfari’s condition, saying he has been on an open-ended hunger strike since 8 June 2026, at Kenitra Prison in Morocco.

According to the SADR Ministry of Foreign and African Affairs, Asfari has lost more than 10 kilograms, is suffering from severe weakness, has difficulty moving, and is battling chronic medical conditions that have allegedly been aggravated by years of imprisonment and inadequate medical care.

The ministry accused Moroccan prison authorities of failing to respond to his demands or provide the urgent medical attention required under international law.

It warned that Asfari’s health had reached a critical stage and that his life was now at serious risk.

The Sahrawi government noted that Asfari has spent more than 15 years in detention following proceedings that the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared arbitrary.

It cited the UN Working Group’s Opinion No. 23/2023, which called for the immediate release of Asfari and other members of the Gdeim Izik Group, alleging that Morocco has yet to implement the recommendation.

Holding Morocco responsible for the prisoner’s safety and well-being, the ministry appealed to the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), governments, and international human rights organisations to intervene without delay.

Among its demands are immediate humanitarian intervention, access to independent medical treatment, unrestricted visits by the ICRC and Asfari’s family, independent monitoring of Sahrawi prisoners, implementation of the UN Working Group’s decision, and the unconditional release of Asfari and other Sahrawi political prisoners.

The ministry also called on lawmakers, civil society organisations, academics, journalists, trade unions, writers, artists and human rights defenders across the world to mobilise support for the detained activist.

In a separate statement, the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights expressed “profound concern” over Asfari’s worsening health, saying his hunger strike followed repeated unsuccessful attempts to seek justice through peaceful means.

The association alleged that Moroccan prison authorities had ignored previous warning hunger strikes by Asfari and other members of the Gdeim Izik group.

ELDH stressed that international law obliges detaining authorities to ensure humane treatment of prisoners and provide adequate medical care, adding that those responsible for Asfari’s detention have a duty to protect his life and physical integrity.

The lawyers’ association called on Moroccan authorities to immediately provide Asfari with independent medical treatment, grant him access to his family and legal representatives, and implement the United Nations Working Group’s recommendation for his release.

It also urged the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, the ICRC and other international human rights bodies to take urgent steps to safeguard Asfari’s rights and ensure compliance with international human rights law.

At the time of filing this report, neither the Moroccan government nor prison authorities had publicly responded to the latest allegations.

The case remains part of the longstanding dispute over Western Sahara, with Morocco and the Sahrawi authorities maintaining opposing positions on the territory’s status and issues relating to the detention of Sahrawi political activists.