The health and dignity of Sahrawi political prisoners continue to be systematically undermined by Moroccan prison authorities, as evidenced by a recent and deeply troubling incident involving Abdallah El Wali Lakfawni, a member of the Gdeim Izik group currently held in Kenitra Central Prison.

According to informations received on Friday, 20 June 2025, Mr. Lakfawni was the victim of a serious health incident on Thursday, 19 June, after prison officials carried out a disinfection operation using toxic chemical pesticides inside prison cells — without adhering to any basic health or safety protocols. The procedure, which aimed to eliminate insect infestations, was conducted in complete disregard for the well-being of inmates, many of whom were left exposed to hazardous chemical fumes in confined, poorly ventilated spaces.

Mr. Lakfawni reportedly suffered from acute respiratory distress, experiencing difficulty breathing, disorientation, and near loss of consciousness. Other detainees were similarly affected, with several experiencing symptoms of suffocation and fainting due to chemical exposure. Shockingly, no prisoners were evacuated, no protective masks were distributed, and no medical personnel were present to monitor or treat inmates during or after the procedure.

Despite the severity of his condition, Mr. Lakfawni did not receive any form of first aid, emergency response, or follow-up care. Furthermore, he had not been notified in advance of the disinfection operation and was given no opportunity to protect himself or raise concern. This alarming failure by the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) constitutes a direct threat to life, health, and physical integrity — rights that are guaranteed under both domestic Moroccan law and a range of international legal instruments to which Morocco is bound.

A Pattern of Negligence and Abuse

This latest incident is not isolated. It reflects a long-standing pattern of mistreatment, neglect, and punitive practicesagainst Sahrawi political prisoners, especially those linked to the Gdeim Izik group, many of whom have been subjected to unfair trials, allegations of torture, prolonged solitary confinement, and denial of medical care.

The use of chemical agents without appropriate safeguards amounts to a gross dereliction of duty by prison authorities. Such conduct violates international norms on the humane treatment of detainees and raises questions about Morocco’s willingness to uphold its legal obligations, particularly concerning detainees held for politically sensitive reasons.

International Human Rights Standards Violated

The treatment of Mr. Lakfawni constitutes a clear breach of multiple international conventions and standards, including:

• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
  Article 12 guarantees the right of every person to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. By knowingly exposing prisoners to toxic substances without medical oversight, Moroccan authorities have violated this fundamental right.
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
  Article 7 prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The inhumane conditions created by the pesticide exposure and the absence of medical care meet this threshold of abuse.
• The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)
  Under Articles 2 and 16, Morocco is required to prevent acts of cruel or degrading treatment, including through acts of omission such as medical neglect and failure to ensure safe conditions of detention.
• The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules)
  • Rule 24: Prisoners must receive health care equivalent to that available in the wider community.
  • Rule 27: Medical assistance must be provided without delay in cases of emergency.
  • Rule 35: Prisoners must be protected from exposure to hazards, including during cleaning or chemical procedures.

The Moroccan government’s failure to meet these standards represents more than a technical violation; it is an ongoing assault on the dignity and rights of Sahrawi detainees, which must be met with international condemnation and accountability.

A Call for Accountability and Protection

Adala UK calls on Moroccan authorities to conduct an independent investigation into the events at Kenitra Central Prison and to immediately provide adequate medical care and reparations to Abdallah El Wali Lakfawni and all other prisoners affected.

We also urge:

• The United Nations Special Rapporteurs on the right to health and on torture, and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, to examine the deteriorating conditions of Sahrawi prisoners and take urgent action.
• The British Government and European Union institutions to raise this issue diplomatically and demand that Morocco complies with its international human rights obligations.
• International civil society and medical associations to monitor the health and legal status of Sahrawi political prisoners and push for transparency and humanitarian access to Moroccan detention facilities.

A Deteriorating Human Rights Landscape

The case of Mr. Lakfawni is emblematic of the broader repression faced by Sahrawi political detainees. These individuals are imprisoned not only by physical bars but also by state systems of silence, neglect, and vengeance. They are denied not just justice, but the most basic rights to life, dignity, and health.

As Morocco continues to promote its international image as a “reformer” and strategic partner in security and migration, such abuses within its prison system cannot go unchallenged. It is imperative that international actors match diplomatic engagement with principled human rights pressure.

Adala UK will continue to document and expose these violations, and advocate on behalf of all Sahrawi prisoners held in unlawful or degrading conditions. Justice and accountability for Abdallah El Wali Lakfawni — and for all Sahrawis arbitrarily detained — are not optional; they are required by the rule of law and the conscience of the international community.

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