Woman human rights defender Hajar Raissouni sentenced
On 16 October 2019, Hajar Raissouni was released from prison after being pardoned by King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
On 30 September 2019, the Court of First Instance in Rabat sentenced human rights defender Hajar Raissouni to one year of imprisonment, and a fine of 500 Durham (50 EUR). Hajar Raissouni was arrested on 31 August 2019 on charges of “undergoing an illegal abortion” and “adultery”.
Hajar Raissouni is a woman human right defender and journalist at Akhbar Alyoum newspaper, where she covers issues related to corruption and the detention of anti-corruption activists in the Rif region in the north of the country. She has also been critical of the lack of provision of pubic services.
On 16 October 2019, Hajar Raissouni was released from prison after being pardoned by King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
On 30 September 2019, the Court of First Instance in Rabat sentenced human rights defender Hajar Raissouni to one year of imprisonment, and a fine of 500 Durham (50 EUR). Hajar Raissouni was arrested on 31 August 2019 on charges of “undergoing an illegal abortion” and “adultery”.
Hajar Raissouni is a woman human right defender and journalist at Akhbar Alyoum newspaper, where she covers issues related to corruption and the detention of anti-corruption activists in the Rif region in the north of the country. She has also been critical of the lack of provision of pubic services.
On 31 August 2019, Hajar Raissouni was arrested by the Moroccan police without a warrant in Rabat. She was detained at a local police station for the first 48 hours of her detention without being allowed to receive family or lawyer visits. The interrogation included questions about her family and work. She was forced to undergo a gynaecological examination and was refused adequate medical treatment. Forty-eight hours after her arrest, she was transferred to Arjat Local Prison.
On 23 September 2019, her lawyer submitted a complaint regarding the illegal circumstances of her arrest, which was rejected by the Court of First Instance in Rabat. The circumstances of Hajar Raissouni’s arrest indicate that her arrest is solely motivated by her human rights work.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned that the accusations against woman human rights defender Hajar Raissouni are solely motivated by her peaceful and legitimate human rights work and activities.
