In a distressing update from occupied El Aaiun, the family of Sahrawi civilian prisoner Mohamed Bachir Boutenguiza has raised alarming concerns regarding his deteriorating health condition while incarcerated at Kenitra prison in Morocco. Reports indicate that Boutenguiza is currently enduring extremely harsh detention circumstances that have led to a critical state of health, necessitating immediate medical intervention.
During a recent family visit, it was revealed that Boutenguiza was unable to stand or sit due to the effects of a prolonged hunger strike, which he commenced on September 23. His family described the harrowing scene in which he was carried into the visiting room, unable to maintain his own weight, a situation exacerbated by severe hemorrhoids causing bleeding. The physical toll of his hunger strike has also rendered him nearly unable to speak, intensifying concerns about his wellbeing.
This family visit marked the first opportunity for them to see Boutenguiza since the beginning of his hunger strike, during which time his whereabouts were shrouded in uncertainty. In a troubling account shared with his family, Boutenguiza disclosed experiences of violence and mistreatment at the hands of the prison authorities, particularly citing threats from the prison director. He reported that the director has warned him of potential torture should he refuse to end his hunger strike, a tactic that raises serious human rights concerns.
The Association for the Protection of Sahrawi Prisoners in Moroccan Jails has received an urgent appeal from Boutenguiza's family and is sounding the alarm regarding the dire situation faced by him and fellow prisoners in Kenitra. They are calling on the Moroccan authorities to take immediate action, providing the necessary medical care and ensuring the physical and psychological safety of Boutenguiza. The responsibility for his health lies squarely with the Moroccan occupation authorities, who are urged to act swiftly to prevent further harm.
As reported by spsrasd.info.
