Commemoration of Dridi and Belhouri's Legacy

On August 27 and 28, 2026, the families of Bouabakar Dridi and Mustafa Belhouri marked the 42nd anniversary of their deaths. This solemn occasion coincides with the open-ended hunger strike initiated by political prisoners known as the "Marrakech Group" back in 1984, as highlighted in a joint statement released by the two families. The hunger strike commenced on July 4, 1984, at the Boulemharez prison in Marrakech and continued for 62 days across prisons in Safi and Essaouira. The inmates undertook this drastic measure to protest the harsh conditions of their imprisonment and demanded humane treatment that would uphold their dignity.

Call for Justice and Human Rights

The families of Dridi and Belhouri view the commemoration as a vital opportunity to honor the sacrifices of their loved ones and their comrades, while also reminding society of the significance of this historical moment in Morocco's human rights and political consciousness. They reaffirmed their commitment to the values of freedom, dignity, social justice, and democracy. In their statement, both families expressed solidarity with individuals currently imprisoned for political reasons and their families, demanding their immediate release and advocating for a definitive end to all forms of political incarceration.

Moreover, they called for an end to what they termed as restrictions on freedoms and political repression, urging for a public space that respects rights and liberties while promoting principles of equality, social justice, and human rights. The statement also highlighted pride in the roles played by human rights and democratic movements in Morocco, calling for an enhanced societal presence of these movements and continued efforts to counter severe human rights violations and ensure guarantees against their recurrence.

On an international level, the families extended their support to movements advocating for freedom, dignity, and human rights, while reiterating their solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle for self-determination and in their fight against occupation. They concluded their statement by pledging to honor the memories of the departed and to uphold the memory of all victims of political and human rights violations, while continuing the fight for a more just, free, and democratic society.

As reported by tanwer.ma.