Concerns Over Artistic Freedom in Morocco
Since July 13, 2026, Moroccan filmmaker and musician El Mahdi Lyoubi has been unjustly detained under a travel ban that lacks any publicly disclosed legal justification. This case has raised significant alarm regarding the state of freedom of expression and artistic liberties in Morocco, prompting a coalition of organizations including the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) to demand his immediate release. These entities, along with a diverse group of cultural institutions, professional associations, journalists, and human rights advocates, are calling for urgent actions from Moroccan authorities to rectify this situation.
Born in 1992 in Salé and residing in Marseille since 2017, El Mahdi Lyoubi is an accomplished filmmaker and musician. He has made a name for himself in the world of cinema, with his short film “Marseille, July 14th” being showcased at prestigious festivals such as New Directors/New Films at MoMA in New York and the Sheffield DocFest. His first feature-length documentary is currently in the works and has received support from the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC). In addition to his film career, Lyoubi has significantly impacted the Moroccan music scene under the moniker Mehdi Black Wind, using his platform to address social justice and freedom of expression issues. His recent performance at the L’Boulevard festival in Casablanca, attended by over 50,000 people, illustrates his prominence in the cultural landscape.
Details of Detention and Broader Implications
On July 10, 2026, while preparing to return to Marseille after a family visit and location scouting for his upcoming documentary, Lyoubi was unexpectedly barred from leaving Morocco at the Rabat-Salé airport. Despite being served with a travel ban, the reasons for this action were never disclosed. Following this, he was taken to the Salé police station without any further explanation. His subsequent appearance before the National Judicial Police Brigade did not clarify the motives behind his detention, nor did it reveal the identity of the investigating officer. Reports suggest that his arrest may be linked to social media posts, though this remains unconfirmed. Lyoubi is expected to face the prosecutor soon, potentially without legal representation, as the legal community in Morocco is currently striking.
The atmosphere in Morocco has grown increasingly tense regarding civil liberties, particularly since the emergence of the Gen Z 212 movement in late 2025, which arose in response to the deaths of eight pregnant women in a hospital due to lack of resources. This movement, primarily organized online, has been advocating for public health, education, anti-corruption measures, and freedom of expression. The government's reaction has been severe, with over 1,000 arrests and sentences of up to fifteen years, alongside reported fatalities among protesters. These events echo past struggles for rights and freedoms in Morocco, highlighting a troubling pattern of state repression against dissent.
In light of these circumstances, we emphasize that Morocco is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which safeguards freedom of expression, including in artistic contexts. Furthermore, the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions mandates the protection of creative freedoms. Restrictions on expression are only justified under specific legal frameworks that pursue legitimate objectives and are necessary and proportionate. The United Nations Human Rights Committee has previously urged Morocco to amend its Penal Code to align with these standards.
In conclusion, we firmly advocate for the following measures: the immediate and unconditional release of El Mahdi Lyoubi, assurance of his access to legal representation, transparency regarding the reasons behind his travel ban and detention, and a commitment from the Moroccan government to uphold its obligations concerning freedom of expression and creativity. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and remain open to engaging in constructive dialogue with the Moroccan authorities about these pressing issues.
As reported by fidh.org.
