Unveiling the Mechanics of Surveillance in Morocco
Amnesty International has released a groundbreaking report detailing the extensive surveillance apparatus utilized by Moroccan authorities to monitor and silence journalists, activists, and other dissenting voices. The report, titled We start with the verdict: Inside Morocco’s surveillance machine, sheds light on how these unlawful practices infringe upon fundamental human rights, including the rights to privacy, liberty, and freedom of expression. Agnès Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated, "Morocco has wholly embraced techno-authoritarian practices, acquiring a wide range of surveillance technologies to establish a repressive system aimed at instilling fear among human rights activists and journalists, ultimately obstructing their work both within and outside Morocco." This assertion is bolstered by evidence from whistleblower testimonies, leaked surveillance data, and records from government spyware targeting that illustrate the depth of Morocco's surveillance operations.
Despite the Moroccan government's repeated denials regarding the use of spyware, Amnesty International's findings highlight a stark reality. The report outlines several methods of unlawful surveillance, including the physical infection of devices and the deployment of advanced spyware like Pegasus. This spyware, developed by the NSO Group, is designed to infiltrate mobile phones and monitor communications without the target’s knowledge. The evidence indicates that such technologies are not only acquired from international vendors but are also actively used against those who dare to challenge the status quo, leading to criminal prosecutions and judicial harassment.
A Whistleblower’s Revelation of Internal Operations
One of the most compelling aspects of the report is the testimony of a whistleblower, known by the pseudonym Safir, a former employee of Morocco's Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire (DGST). Safir's accounts provide rare insights into the inner workings of Morocco's surveillance system, detailing how targeted individuals are covertly filmed and recorded in various settings, including their homes, offices, and even cars. Furthermore, Safir explains that the DGST has employed various methods to compromise personal devices, including pre-infected phones sold through local vendors and targeted cyber attacks. The implications of these actions extend beyond mere surveillance; they create an environment of fear and self-censorship among human rights defenders and journalists, who live under constant threat of exposure and retaliation.
The report emphasizes that Morocco's surveillance activities not only affect the immediate targets but also their families, friends, and professional networks. The lack of judicial oversight allows agents to operate with impunity, employing tactics designed to discredit and intimidate those who speak out in defense of human rights. As stated by Rebecca White, a researcher at Amnesty International, "The tools they use are wide-ranging, but the goal is clear: to blackmail, discredit, shame, and, if necessary, unjustly imprison those who advocate for human rights in Morocco." This pervasive atmosphere of surveillance and fear severely hampers the ability of individuals to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
As reported by genocidewatch.com.
