Adala UK has formally addressed a letter to Ms Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), urging the organisation to undertake an urgent humanitarian intervention in response to the rapidly deteriorating health of Sahrawi human rights defender Naâma Asfari and the wider humanitarian situation of the Gdeim Izik prisoners.

In its letter, Adala UK expressed grave concern over Mr Asfari’s condition following his open-ended hunger strike, which began on 8 June 2026, warning that his life is at serious risk unless immediate humanitarian action is taken. The organisation also highlighted reports indicating that he remains deprived of specialised medical care while detained in Kenitra Central Prison, and noted the continued denial of family visits, including those of his wife, French human rights defender Claude Mangin.

The organisation recalled that it has monitored the cases of the Gdeim Izik prisoners since their arrest in 2010 and has consistently documented concerns relating to arbitrary detention, allegations of torture, restrictions on family contact, prolonged isolation, and violations of internationally recognised fair trial standards.

In its appeal, Adala UK requested that the International Committee of the Red Cross, within the framework of its humanitarian mandate, take urgent steps to:

• seek immediate humanitarian access to Mr Naâma Asfari and the other Sahrawi detainees of the Gdeim Izik Group;
• assess Mr Asfari’s medical condition and advocate for immediate access to independent and specialised healthcare;
• facilitate regular communication between the detainees and their families;
• monitor detention conditions in accordance with international humanitarian standards; and
• continue confidential humanitarian dialogue with the Moroccan authorities to help safeguard the lives, dignity and fundamental rights of the detainees.

Adala UK emphasised that the humanitarian concerns extend beyond Mr Asfari’s individual case. Several members of the Gdeim Izik Group have undertaken hunger strikes in solidarity with him, reflecting longstanding concerns regarding detention conditions and access to healthcare.

The organisation further noted that the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in Opinion No. 23/2023, concluded that the detention of the Gdeim Izik prisoners is arbitrary and called for their immediate release and the provision of effective remedies. It also recalled the concerns repeatedly expressed by the United Nations Committee against Torture regarding allegations of torture and the use of coerced confessions in the proceedings against the prisoners.

Commenting on the appeal, Adala UK stated:

“The humanitarian situation has reached a critical stage. We respectfully call upon the International Committee of the Red Cross to exercise its humanitarian mandate to help ensure that Mr Naâma Asfari and the other Gdeim Izik prisoners receive the medical care, protection and humanitarian access to which they are entitled under international standards. Every effort should now be made to prevent further deterioration in Mr Asfari’s health.”

Adala UK reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its documentation and advocacy efforts concerning the human rights situation in Western Sahara and called upon the international community to ensure respect for international human rights law and the dignity of all persons deprived of their liberty.

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