Uyghur Activist Dolkun Isa Refused Entry Upon Arrival in Casablanca
On July 20, 2026, Dolkun Isa, a prominent Uyghur activist and former president of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), faced an unexpected setback when he was denied entry into Morocco upon his arrival at Casablanca Airport. This incident occurred just as he was set to participate in the International Religious Freedom Summit, scheduled for July 21 and 22, where discussions surrounding religious liberties and human rights were to take center stage. The WUC has since condemned this action, citing it as a significant blow to the advocacy for Uyghur rights and freedom.
Upon his arrival, Isa was intercepted by immigration officials who subjected him to an extensive security check that lasted approximately 15 hours without any clear explanation regarding the reasons for his detention. Following this prolonged examination, authorities handed Isa a written notice from Morocco's Ministry of the Interior and the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), informing him that he was prohibited from entering the country. This incident has raised concerns about the influence of geopolitical dynamics on Morocco’s immigration policies, particularly regarding activists advocating for Uyghur rights.
Notably, an Interpol Red Notice against Isa had been issued in 1997 based on accusations from the Chinese government, but this notice was officially revoked in 2018 after prolonged efforts to clear his name. The WUC emphasized that despite the revocation, the ramifications of this earlier alert continue to hinder Isa's international mobility and efforts to champion human rights for the Uyghur community. The organization has called upon the Moroccan government to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding Isa’s denial of entry, urging transparency in such matters.
Furthermore, the WUC has appealed to global entities, including Germany, the European Union, the United Nations, and various human rights organizations, to address this issue with Moroccan authorities. They are advocating for enhanced protective measures for Uyghur activists who, according to the WUC, face increasing transnational repression. At present, the Moroccan authorities have not released any official statements regarding the motives behind this decision, leaving many questions unanswered about their immigration practices and potential external influences.
As reported by h24info.ma.
