Health Crisis of Naama Asfari Highlights Human Rights Violations
On July 18, 2026, the Ministry of Affairs of the Occupied Territories and the Diaspora issued a grave warning regarding the deteriorating health condition of Naama Asfari, a Sahrawi political prisoner and renowned human rights advocate. Asfari has been on an open-ended hunger strike for an alarming 41 days to protest against the neglect of his health and the failure to address his legitimate demands. Since initiating his hunger strike on June 8, he has lost approximately 10 kilograms, and his health has now reached a critical phase.
Reports from human rights sources closely connected to Asfari's family indicate that he has ceased all cooperation with the prison administration. This decision comes in response to the authorities' continued disregard for his health, their refusal to acknowledge his demands related to the enforcement of international humanitarian law, and their indifference towards his suffering. The situation has escalated as the Moroccan occupation authorities have curtailed Asfari's communications with his wife, Claude Mangin, and other family members. Previously, he was allowed to communicate three times weekly for several minutes, but this has now been entirely prohibited since July 13.
Call for Immediate Action and International Support
The Ministry highlighted that Asfari’s hunger strike was not an isolated action but followed three warning strikes in May, driven by the Moroccan authorities' failure to implement decisions from United Nations mechanisms. His demands are in line with the UN Committee against Torture's directives and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's opinions, which call for the immediate release of the Gdeim Izik group prisoners, compensation for their suffering, and accountability for the violations committed against them. Despite the binding nature of these decisions, the Moroccan authorities have shown a blatant disregard for international law and the persistent calls for action from UN and leading international human rights organizations.
Furthermore, the Ministry condemned the ban on Mrs. Mangin’s visits, urging the international community to apply pressure on the Moroccan regime for the immediate and unconditional release of Asfari and all Sahrawi civilian prisoners. They also called for an independent and transparent medical evaluation of Asfari's health, immediate medical care, and the reinstatement of unrestricted communication with his family, wife, and legal counsel. The transfer of Sahrawi prisoners to facilities closer to their families in Western Sahara has also been requested while awaiting their release.
Additionally, the Ministry appealed to the Moroccan authorities to permit visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to ensure transparency and accountability for Sahrawi prisoners. They acknowledged the significant international solidarity shown towards Naama Asfari and his fellow prisoners and urged all advocates for justice, peace, and democracy to expand their support and increase pressure on the Moroccan occupation regime to comply with international law, ultimately ensuring the freedom of Sahrawi prisoners and their return to their homeland.
As reported by spsrasd.info.
