(October 31, 2024, Washington D.C.): Responding to news that Moroccan authorities have arrested Fouad Abdelmoumni, one of the country's most prominent economists and a long-time human rights activist, on October 30, 2024, DAWN issues the following statement:
"Morocco's arrest of one of the country's most prominent economists and long-time human rights activist Fouad Abdelmoumni on absurd speech charges at the same time the kingdom was receiving French President Macron with maximal pomp, shows how little control King Mohammed VI has over his own police," said Sarah Leah Whitson, DAWN's Executive Director. "Arresting Abdelmoumni for innocuous Facebook comments is merely a ploy for Morocco's security czars to embarrass the King because he overruled them and pardoned dissidents in July, as part of the deal for France's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara."
"Moroccan authorities have once again shown their contempt for the right of free expression by detaining one of the country's best-known and respected members of civil society, apparently for comments about current affairs that diverge from the official version," said Eric Goldstein, a human rights activist who formerly served as Human Rights Watch's Deputy Director overseeing work in Morocco.
"Can King Mohamed VI and President Macron realistically sustain close ties and even 'shared economic prospects' while Morocco's vengeful security chiefs hijack diplomatic achievements with this shocking arrest, leaving two heads of state dumbfounded, human rights shattered, and international observers perplexed?" said Raed Jarrar, DAWN's Advocacy Director. "King Mohammed VI should rein in his out-of-control security forces and free Abdelmoumni, 66, former human rights minister Mohamed Ziane, 81, and other victims of spiteful police vendettas – and President Macron should applaud him when he does."
