Western Sahara / Morocco: The Necessity of Implementing the Decisions and Opinions of UN Mechanisms Regarding the Gdeim Izik Group

We, the undersigned human rights organisations and partners in the SOS-Defenders project, are following the developments of the open hunger strike undertaken by a number of Saharawi political prisoners from the Gdeim Izik group since September 23, 2026, in Moroccan prisons. This strike is in protest against their continued detention and the conditions of their imprisonment, and to demand the implementation of the opinions and recommendations of the United Nations human rights mechanisms, in particular those issued by the Special Rapporteurs, the Committee Against Torture, and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding their case. They also demand their transfer to prisons located in Western Sahara, to ensure proximity to their families.

The following individuals continue their hunger strike: Naama Asfari, Ahmed Sbaai, Hassan Dah, El Houssein Ezzaoui, Mohamed Bani, Mohamed Lamine Haddi, Mohamed El Bachir Boutenguiza, and Abdallah Abbahah.

In a new development, El Bachir Khadda was transferred to the local prison in the city of El Aaiún / Western Sahara, where he suspended his hunger strike. Furthermore, Naama Asfari was transferred to Loudaya prison in Marrakech / Morocco, and Hassan Dah to Ben Guerir prison / Morocco, while they both continue their open hunger strike alongside their comrades.

This strike comes after more than sixteen years since the arrest of the Gdeim Izik group, and in light of their ongoing suffering within Moroccan prisons and the suffering of their families.

The undersigned organisations follow with great concern the health condition of the prisoners on hunger strike, renewing their demand for the immediate release of all Saharawi political prisoners.