Concerns Grow Over Naama Asfari’s Health Amid Ongoing Hunger Strike
The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center has urgently appealed to the Moroccan government for the immediate and unconditional release of Naama Asfari, a Sahrawi human rights defender and political prisoner. This call comes amidst alarming concerns about Asfari's deteriorating health, which has been exacerbated by his ongoing hunger strike that began on June 8, 2026. The Center's statement highlights the critical need for the Moroccan authorities to address Asfari's legitimate demands and engage in meaningful dialogue to put an end to his hunger strike. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of ensuring that Asfari receives independent medical care and maintains regular communication with his family, especially given the increasing dangers to his safety and well-being.
Kerry Kennedy, President of the Center, emphasized that Asfari’s continued detention, despite several United Nations decisions advocating for his release, showcases a troubling pattern of impunity within the Moroccan legal system. The situation is further complicated by the Moroccan authorities' failure to adhere to UN recommendations, as well as ongoing harassment faced by Asfari and his family. Reports indicate that Asfari has lost around ten kilograms since he began his hunger strike, and troublingly, all communication between him and his family has been severed since July 13.
In conclusion, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center warns that the ongoing detention of Naama Asfari, in defiance of repeated UN directives and the authorities' refusal to meet his legitimate demands, poses a severe threat to his life. This situation reflects a broader pattern of persecution against Sahrawi activists. The Center has called on Moroccan authorities to fully comply with United Nations recommendations and to honor their international human rights obligations.
As reported by spsrasd.info.
