Adala UK is urging the UN to put pressure on the Moroccan government to release Saharawi prisoners based on the concerns of the spread of Covid-19 in Morocco. A statement published by the British NGO on Saturday 28 March outlined how the virus will spread easily through Moroccan prisons. “Currently there are more than 50 Saharawis detained in Moroccan prisons, including manyy with underlying health conditions. According to the Moroccan Minister of Health, as of 28 March, there are hitherto 350 coronavirus cases in Morocco, some of whom remain in a critical condition, and 24 deaths.

“Our organisation, supported by many previous UN reports, notes that Moroccan prisons are amongst the most densely populated in the world and do not meet minimum health standards” said Adala UK President, Sidi Ahmed Al Yadasi.

In a letter to the UN Human Rights Council, Adala UK asks the international community to bring pressure on Moroccan to release Saharawi prisoners in order to protect them from the threat of coronavirus. The responsibility for these prisoners lies with the Moroccan government and given the global pandemic, Adala UK requests the immediate release of all Saharawi prisoners. Adala UK also notes that the rapid spread of Covid-19 puts the meeting of international human rights law norms high on the agenda of the international political debate. 

Adala UK urges Morocco to protect the lives of prisoners in light of the pandemic and demands a focus on adequate medical attention to prisoners given the rising coronavirus cases in Morocco, making sure that prisoners are tested regularly to prevent the spread and simultaneously ensuring the provision of sanitising products to guarantee hygiene.

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