Revealing the Mechanisms of State Surveillance in Morocco
In a groundbreaking report, Amnesty International exposes the extensive surveillance apparatus employed by the Moroccan government to monitor, harass, and silence journalists, activists, and other dissenting voices. The report highlights a disturbing reality where authorities leverage both digital and analogue tools to infringe upon the fundamental rights to privacy, liberty, and freedom of expression. Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, asserts that Morocco has fully adopted techno-authoritarian practices, utilizing a diverse array of surveillance technologies to instill fear among human rights defenders and journalists. This repressive system is designed not only to suppress dissent but also to obstruct the essential work of these individuals both within and beyond Morocco's borders.
Despite the Moroccan authorities' persistent denial of employing spyware for surveillance purposes, new evidence, including whistleblower testimonies and leaked documents, tells a different story. Amnesty International's investigation reveals a complex network of international vendors supplying these surveillance tools, including notorious companies such as NSO Group and others from Israel, the EU, and the United States. This extensive documentation sheds light on the various tools and techniques used to target dissenting voices, illustrating a systematic approach to surveillance that is deeply entrenched in the governance of Morocco.
The Role of Whistleblower 'Safir' in Uncovering Surveillance Tactics
At the heart of this surveillance machine is a whistleblower known by the pseudonym 'Safir,' a former employee of the Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire (DGST). Through a series of interviews, Safir provides invaluable insights into the inner workings of the DGST and the wide array of surveillance methods employed against human rights defenders. Notably, Amnesty International has corroborated key elements of Safir's testimony with independent sources and technical evidence, painting a chilling picture of state surveillance operations.
Safir outlines methods of surveillance that include physical infection of devices, interception of phone calls, and the recruitment of informants, creating an environment of fear and paranoia that extends beyond the targeted individuals to their families and associates. This invasive approach compromises personal privacy, with individuals being secretly filmed and recorded in various settings, including their homes. The implications of such tactics are profound, as they not only threaten the safety of activists but also foster an atmosphere of self-censorship and intimidation.
The report further details the evolution of Pegasus spyware usage in Morocco, marking the deployment's commencement in 2017. This sophisticated spyware, developed by NSO Group, has been systematically used to target prominent human rights defenders and journalists, creating a climate where dissent is met with severe repercussions. Evidence suggests that the DGST prioritizes the surveillance of civil society members, intensifying the risk faced by those who dare to speak out against government abuses.
Amnesty International's findings compel a reassessment of the human rights landscape in Morocco, urging an immediate cessation of unlawful surveillance practices against journalists and activists. The implications of this report resonate beyond Morocco, highlighting a global trend towards the normalization of state-sponsored surveillance and repression. The time has come for the international community to address these violations and hold those responsible accountable.
As reported by amnesty.org.
