Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) have condemned the six-month prison sentence handed to Moroccan political activist Fouad Abdelmoumni for a social media post critical of the government. The two organizations have called for the immediate reversal of his conviction, warning that his case is part of a broader, ongoing crackdown on free speech in Morocco.
Abdelmoumni, who has long been an outspoken critic of Morocco’s political system, was convicted in absentia on March 3, 2025, by a Casablanca court. His crime? A Facebook post from October 2024 during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Morocco. In his post, Abdelmoumni accused the Moroccan government of using spyware to target activists and dissidents, a claim the authorities vehemently denied. The court found him guilty of insulting public authorities, spreading false allegations, and reporting a non-existent crime.
HRW’s Belkees Jarrah criticized the sentencing, stating, “This crackdown on free speech is outrageous, and dragging another activist into court for merely expressing an opinion about government relations is a clear violation of his rights.” HRW and DAWN emphasized that the Moroccan government’s actions violate both the Moroccan Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantee freedom of expression.
Abdelmoumni is no stranger to harassment; he has faced digital surveillance through the Pegasus spyware, which Amnesty International reported was used to monitor Moroccan activists and journalists. His case mirrors that of journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui, who was also imprisoned for speaking out against the government.
In response to his conviction, Abdelmoumni announced plans to appeal, and over 300 activists have signed a petition calling for the annulment of the ruling. His imprisonment highlights the increasing restrictions on press freedom in Morocco, which was ranked 129th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.
As calls for Abdelmoumni’s release grow, rights groups continue to pressure Morocco to uphold its international obligations and protect the fundamental right to free speech.
