Fez – The leaders of Rif ‘Hirak’ demonstrations that rattled the Rif region in northern Morocco back in 2017 have gone on hunger strike since August 10th inside Fez prison to protest abuse and mistreatment by Moroccan prison management.
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Nasser Zafzafi and Nabil Ahamjik were each sentenced to serve 20 years in prison for their role in Rif Hirak movement and were sentenced by Casablanca court of nine offenses, including “undermining the internal security of the state”.
The reasons behind this escalating decision as stated by the detainees, includes but is not limited to:
- Demanding better jail conditions.
- Gather all detainees in connection with Rif Hirak movement in ‘Selouan’ facility near Nador.
- Demanding the right of adequate medical care.
- Demand the right to call their families for at least 30 min a week.
- The right of prisoners to have visitors while incarcerated.
- The right to longer promenade everyday.
- The right to receive books and newspapers.
The Rif Hirak protests began in the northern city of Al Hoceima and surrounding areas in October 2016, after fishmonger Mouhcine Fikri was crushed to death by a garbage truck as he attempted to recover fish confiscated by local authorities.
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The protesters were demanding an end to the marginalization of their predominantly Amazigh communities calling for social and economical demands such as a better healthcare system, improving infrastructure, an end to corruption, and equal employment opportunities in the region.
As a result, the Moroccan authorities have carried out a large wave of arrests rounding up thousands of protesters, activists and journalist across the Rif region, dozens of them were sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
