Urgent Appeal for Saida El Alami's Release
Saida El Alami, a prominent human rights defender and blogger from Morocco, is currently enduring an unjust three-year prison sentence, which is a direct result of her courageous exercise of free speech and peaceful assembly. On July 1, 2025, she was detained by plain-clothes police officers in Casablanca following her livestream of a protest that addressed a death in custody. Subsequently, on September 16, 2025, the Criminal Court of Ain Sebaa sentenced her to three years behind bars and imposed a fine of 20,000 dirhams (approximately 1,870 euros). This sentence was based on her social media activity and public statements that criticized governmental authorities and exposed significant allegations of corruption and human rights abuses. On December 17, 2025, the Casablanca Court of Appeal upheld her conviction, leaving Saida to suffer the consequences of exercising her fundamental rights.
It is imperative that the Moroccan authorities take immediate and unconditional measures to release Saida El Alami and annul her conviction, which fundamentally undermines her basic human rights.
How You Can Make a Difference
As global citizens, we have a responsibility to stand up against such injustices. The time to act is now, with the deadline for action set for January 9, 2027. Here’s how you can contribute:
- Write a letter to Moroccan authorities urging for Saida’s immediate release.
- Email government officials to express your concerns over her wrongful imprisonment.
- Utilize social media platforms to amplify her story and call for action.
To facilitate your involvement, you can find a detailed Urgent Action appeal and a sample letter for guidance by entering your email and zip code. Your voice matters, and expressing your concerns through these channels can create significant pressure on the authorities.
Here’s a sample letter template you can use:
Your Excellency,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the unjust and prolonged imprisonment of Saida El Alami, a human rights defender and blogger. The charges against her are based on her Facebook posts and videos that criticized corruption, advocated for the release of those wrongfully detained, and highlighted human rights violations, among other issues. These posts have been mischaracterized as "insulting a body regulated by law" and "distributing false allegations without consent."
Reports indicate that during her detention, she has faced harassment and ill-treatment, and her health has markedly deteriorated. Following a hunger strike in April 2026, her family was unable to contact her for two weeks, only to find her in a severely weakened state upon their eventual visit.
I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Saida El Alami and quash her conviction which is solely rooted in her exercise of human rights. Please ensure she has access to adequate healthcare and is allowed regular contact with her family and lawyers.
Yours sincerely,
_[YOUR NAME]_
Additionally, you can share messages on social media, such as:
"Saida El Alami should never have been imprisoned for speaking out. I call on @ChefGov_ma to immediately and unconditionally release her, overturn her conviction, and ensure she receives proper medical care and regular access to her family and lawyers #UrgentActionNetworkAIUSA"
By taking these steps, you not only support Saida El Alami but also contribute to the larger fight for human rights and justice globally.
As reported by amnestyusa.org.
