Morocco must reverse the conviction of human rights activist Fouad Abdelmoumni and end legal harassment

Skyline International for Human Rights (SIHR) strongly condemns the recent conviction of Moroccan human rights activist Fouad Abdelmoumni by the Ain Sebaa Criminal Court of First Instance in Casablanca. On March 3, 2025, the court ruled to sentence Abdelmoumni to six months in prison and impose a fine of 2,000 dirhams. This decision is a blatant attack on freedom of expression and a clear attempt by the Moroccan authorities to silence critical voices. It raises serious concerns about the state of human rights and digital freedoms in Morocco.

The charges against Abdelmoumni include “spreading false allegations,” “defamation,” and “insulting public bodies.” These charges stem from a Facebook post he published in October 2024, shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Rabat. In his post, Abdelmoumni criticized Morocco’s diplomatic stance, describing the country as a “weak state” and referencing allegations of espionage, including the use of the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware against activists in the country. The Public Prosecution deemed these statements as harmful to Morocco’s interests, labeling them as “reprehensible and irresponsible.”

The case against Abdelmoumni is deeply troubling, particularly as his claims are supported by credible investigations from international media and human rights organizations. In 2021, Forbidden Stories, an international network of investigative journalists, in collaboration with Amnesty International, published a report accusing Morocco of deploying NSO’s Pegasus spyware to monitor and target at least 35 journalists and activsts, including Omar Radi, Hajar Raissouni, and prominent Sahrawi activist Aminatou Haidar. The Moroccan government repeatedly denied these allegations, calling them “baseless and false,” and even filed lawsuits against journalists in France, Spain, and Germany. However, the French judiciary rejected these lawsuits in 2023, further undermining the credibility of Morocco’s denials.

Despite these serious allegations, the Moroccan authorities have failed to conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the use of Pegasus spyware. This lack of accountability has fueled public skepticism and eroded trust in the government. The prosecution of Abdelmoumni for referencing these allegations in his Facebook post highlights the growing tension between national security narratives and the protection of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression.

The conviction of Abdelmoumni is part of a broader pattern of increasing restrictions on freedom of expression in Morocco. The use of criminal defamation laws to target activists, journalists, and critics undermines the country’s commitment to democratic principles and international human rights standards. This case sends a chilling message to civil society, stifling legitimate criticism and public debate.

SIHR calls on the Moroccan authorities to take immediate steps to address this alarming situation and uphold their obligations under international human rights law. Specifically, we urge the Moroccan authorities to:

1. Immediately reverse the conviction of Fouad Abdelmoumni and drop all charges against him, ensuring his right to freedom of expression is fully respected.
2. Uphold the rights to free expression as guaranteed by Morocco’s Constitution and international human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
3. End the harassment and prosecution of human rights defenders, activists, and journalists, ensuring they can freely express their views without fear of retaliation, legal action, or reprisal.
4. Conduct a full, transparent, and independent investigation into the allegations of unlawful surveillance, including the use of Pegasus spyware, and hold accountable those responsible for violating the rights to privacy and free expression.