Human Rights Council's Report on Akdim Izik Prisoners
The National Human Rights Council of Morocco recently presented a detailed report concerning the status of prisoners involved in the Akdim Izik events, following their announcement to end their hunger strike. This report builds upon information shared on the council's official Facebook page on October 16, 2026, regarding the cessation of their strike.
According to the report, which has been made available to Morocco Daily News, the President of the National Human Rights Council assigned multidisciplinary teams to visit the prisoners who had declared a hunger strike in several correctional facilities, including those in Kenitra, Tiflet 2, Marrakech (Aoudaya), and Ben Guerir. The initial visits commenced on September 29, 2026, followed by follow-up visits on October 14 and 15, 2026. These visits were organized in accordance with the operational guidelines titled "Guidelines for Managing Hunger Strikes in Correctional Facilities," which were established by the council in collaboration with the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration, the Public Prosecution, the Ministry of Health, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
During the visits, the council teams ensured that interviews were conducted in a confidential environment, with medical examinations carried out by the council's doctors while maintaining strict respect for medical confidentiality. The teams also met with the prison medical staff and reviewed the medical files of the prisoners involved. Throughout the interviews, the council teams made efforts to raise awareness among the prisoners regarding the health implications of hunger strikes. Concurrently, they initiated mediation efforts with the relevant authorities to facilitate a positive response to some of the prisoners' requests.
Prisoners' Demands and Administrative Clarifications
The report highlighted that the primary demands of the prisoners revolved around their transfer to correctional facilities closer to their family residences. In this context, the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration communicated that it was unable to meet these requests, explaining that the requested facilities did not align with the duration of their sentences and were designated for different categories of inmates. Regarding the suspension of phone call privileges, the administration attributed this decision to violations of internal regulations, specifically the use of this service for non-family purposes.
Notably, Ahmed Sbaai, Mohamed Bashir Boutenkiza, and Hassan Zawy, inmates at the Kenitra central prison, announced their hunger strike on September 23, 2026, formally notifying the prison administration of their demands for transfers to facilities nearer to their families. Following their declaration, they were accommodated in the prison's medical unit. During the visit on September 29, the three prisoners reported that they had not been able to retrieve some personal belongings after being moved to the medical unit. Following the council's mediation, the prison director issued immediate instructions to return these belongings to the prisoners.
Throughout the visits on September 29 and October 14, the prisoners expressed that their access to phone calls had been halted since the beginning of the hunger strike. Hassan Zawy mentioned that he refused family visits, including from his wife, to avoid burdening his family with long-distance travel from Laayoune to Kenitra, noting that he had previously informed the prison administration of his stance.
As for Mohammed Lamine Hadi, an inmate at Tiflet 2 prison, he asserted that he was not on a hunger strike, which was corroborated by the prison director. He reiterated his request for a transfer to a prison closer to his family in Laayoune. The report indicated that he benefits from three phone calls with his family each week and receives regular medical monitoring. In contrast, Abdullah Abah, an inmate at the same facility, declined to meet with the council team during the September 29 visit, exhibiting signs of agitation despite attempts to engage in dialogue. During the second visit on October 14, the prison director informed the team that he had been transferred to a hospital in Khmissat and subsequently to Moulay Youssef Hospital in Rabat, where the council team was able to visit him.
Regarding Bchir Khda, the report noted his transfer to Laayoune 2 local prison on September 25, 2026, after meeting the established distribution criteria, given that he had less than four years remaining on his sentence. He had informed the council team that he was not on a hunger strike.
Concerning the situations of inmates in Marrakech and Ben Guerir, Naama Asfari and Hassan Dah, respectively, announced their hunger strike on September 23, 2026, demanding transfers to prisons closer to their families. Naama Asfari also requested permission to communicate with his wife residing abroad. The council team observed that both were housed in solitary confinement but reported that their detention conditions were ordinary, with no specific complaints lodged regarding them.
Health data for the prisoners indicated that the council teams informed prison doctors of their observations regarding the health status of the inmates. The report noted that Mohamed Bashir Boutenkiza was the only prisoner who refused a medical examination, while Ahmed Sbaai and Hassan Zawy were reported to be in generally stable health during the examination, showing awareness and coherence, with vital signs within normal limits and no clinical signs of dehydration noted. Their laboratory test results were normal, with some minor symptoms, and they received the medical follow-up stipulated in managing hunger strikes. Naama Asfari and Hassan Dah's health conditions were also reported as stable, and they benefited from the medical monitoring outlined in hunger strike management protocols.
On the conclusion of the hunger strike, Naama Asfari announced in a letter to the General Delegate for Prison Administration and Reintegration on September 30, 2026, his decision to suspend his hunger strike. Five prisoners ended their strike on October 14, 2026, while the last one concluded on October 15, 2026.
As reported by ar.telquel.ma.
