International
Sahrawi Republic Seeks Global Action as Hunger-Striking Activist Naama Asfari’s Health Worsens in Moroccan Prison
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) has appealed to the international community to urgently intervene over the deteriorating health of Sahrawi political prisoner and human rights defender, Naama Asfari, warning that his life is at risk after more than a month on an indefinite hunger strike.
In an urgent statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign and African Affairs, the Sahrawi government said Asfari’s condition had become critical since he began the hunger strike on June 8, 2026, at Kenitra Prison in Morocco.
The ministry said information from his family indicated that he had lost more than 10 kilograms, was suffering from severe physical weakness and difficulty moving, while existing medical conditions had reportedly worsened due to years of imprisonment and what it described as inadequate medical care.
It alleged that Moroccan prison authorities had failed to respond to his demands or provide the medical treatment required under international human rights standards, placing his life in imminent danger.
According to the ministry, Asfari has spent more than 15 years in detention following proceedings the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared arbitrary in Opinion No. 23/2023, which called for his immediate release and that of other members of the Gdeim Izik group.
The Sahrawi government accused Morocco of failing to implement the UN opinion and held the Moroccan authorities responsible for Asfari’s safety and any consequences arising from his continued detention.
It urged the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN Security Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the African Union, the European Union, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), governments, and international human rights organisations to take immediate action.
Among its requests are emergency humanitarian intervention, access to independent medical care, unrestricted visits by the ICRC and Asfari’s family, independent monitoring of Sahrawi prisoners in Moroccan detention facilities, and the immediate implementation of the UN Working Group’s recommendations.
The ministry also called for the unconditional release of Asfari and all Sahrawi political prisoners.
In a separate statement, the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH) expressed “deep concern” over Asfari’s health, describing his hunger strike as a last resort after previous peaceful protests allegedly failed to prompt any response from prison authorities.
ELDH reiterated that the UN Working Group had classified Asfari’s detention as arbitrary and stressed that international law obliges states to ensure humane treatment and adequate healthcare for all detainees.
The organisation called on Moroccan authorities to provide immediate independent medical care, allow access to his family and legal representatives, and comply with the UN recommendation for his release.
It also appealed to the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the ICRC and other international human rights mechanisms to intervene urgently to protect Asfari’s rights.
Moroccan authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the statements as of the time of filing this report.
The claims could not be independently verified.