Dear Friends of Ali Aarrass,
Tomorrow, after waiting for four years since lodging his appeal, the Moroccan Court of Cassation will hear Ali Aarrass’ appeal against his 2011 conviction and 12-year sentence following a grossly unfair trial lasting only a few hours, based solely on torture evidence (a conclusion confirmed by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the UN Committee Against Torture, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention among other bodies).
The findings of these bodies, and the international support for Ali Aarrass, have not been enough to secure his release, or even an improvement in his conditions. Since being moved from Salé II prison in Rabat to Tifelt II local prison in October 2016, he has been held in isolation, sleeping on a concrete slab with only an hour a day to exercise, one shower a week, and inadequate food. These conditions, and his continued unlawful imprisonment, are having a severe impact on his health.
Please write immediately in Arabic, French or your own language urging the Moroccan authorities to:
n Implement the decision of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) calling on them to release Ali Aarrass immediately and award him adequate compensation;
n Immediately end Ali Aarrass’ solitary confinement and ensure he is held in humane conditions;
n Ensure he has immediate access to a qualified health professional to provide health care in compliance with medical ethics, including the principles of confidentiality, autonomy, and informed consent.
n Implement the decision of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) calling on them to release Ali Aarrass immediately and award him adequate compensation;
n Immediately end Ali Aarrass’ solitary confinement and ensure he is held in humane conditions;
n Ensure he has immediate access to a qualified health professional to provide health care in compliance with medical ethics, including the principles of confidentiality, autonomy, and informed consent.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 8 MAY 2017 TO:
Director of General Administration for Prison Administration and Reinsertion
Mohamed Saleh Tamek
Angle Avenue Arar et rue El-Jouz
Hay El Riyad, Rabat, Morocco
Fax: + 212 5 37 71 26 19
Salutation: Dear Sir Minister of Justice and Liberties
Mustafa Ramid
Ministry of Justice and Liberties
Place El Mamounia – BP 1015
Rabat, Morocco
Fax: + 212 5 37 73 47 25
Salutation: Your Excellency And copies to:
International Delegation for Human Rights
Interministerial Delegate
Mahjoub El Haiba
Angle Avenue Ibn Sina et
Rue Oued El Makhazine
Agdal, Rabat, Morocco
Fax: +212 5 37 67 11 55
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.
Director of General Administration for Prison Administration and Reinsertion
Mohamed Saleh Tamek
Angle Avenue Arar et rue El-Jouz
Hay El Riyad, Rabat, Morocco
Fax: + 212 5 37 71 26 19
Salutation: Dear Sir Minister of Justice and Liberties
Mustafa Ramid
Ministry of Justice and Liberties
Place El Mamounia – BP 1015
Rabat, Morocco
Fax: + 212 5 37 73 47 25
Salutation: Your Excellency And copies to:
International Delegation for Human Rights
Interministerial Delegate
Mahjoub El Haiba
Angle Avenue Ibn Sina et
Rue Oued El Makhazine
Agdal, Rabat, Morocco
Fax: +212 5 37 67 11 55
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.
Please support Amnesty’s appeal and show the Moroccan authorities that enough is enough!
All the best
Frances Webber
