Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) closely followed the press conference convened on June 19, 2025, by the Moroccan association for the support of political prisoners, known as “Himmam”,  held at the headquarters of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights.

The information disclosed confirms what many civil society observers have long feared: Morocco’s public sphere is narrowing at an alarming rate, with serious regressions in fundamental freedoms—chief among them, freedom of expression, press freedom, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The increasingly systematic targeting of journalists, bloggers, and citizens for their opinions, affiliations, or expressions of solidarity with just causes is not an anomaly. Rather, it reflects a broader, well-documented pattern of political repression. This deterioration has been the subject of numerous WJWC reports, including our March 7, 2025 statement, which documented a series of violations against female journalists, peaceful demonstrators, and civil society activists.

We express our full solidarity with the journalists named in the Himmam report and strongly condemn the unjust and politically motivated verdicts handed down in cases such as those of Hamid El Mahdaoui, Hanane Bakour, and Lubna Al-Falah. These prosecutions represent more than isolated injustices—they are a clear signal of an official effort to neutralize the critical role of the press, dilute journalistic professionalism, and dismantle spaces for public accountability. They reflect a strategic closure of civic space and a concerted effort to silence dissenting and independent voices.

Equally disturbing is the persecution of individuals who have publicly opposed normalization with Israel or expressed support for the Palestinian cause. These individuals, who echo the values and sentiments of large segments of Moroccan society, now find themselves charged under criminal statutes for what are, in essence, political expressions. Such practices erode public trust in the judiciary, weaken the credibility of democratic institutions, and undermine the rule of law.

WJWC calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience and demands an end to the politically driven misuse of the judiciary to punish peaceful expression. We urge Moroccan authorities to initiate a comprehensive review of legislation used to suppress dissent—particularly the Press and Publications Law and provisions of the Penal Code frequently invoked to criminalize journalistic and civic expression.

We further call on the Moroccan Parliament to adopt legal reforms that enshrine—not restrict—the right to freedom of expression, in line with Morocco’s Constitution and its binding international obligations. It is imperative that the government engage seriously with the recommendations of UN treaty bodies, including the Human Rights Committee, which has repeatedly affirmed that public criticism of government authorities must never be criminalized.

We appeal to professional press unions, regional media networks, and international human rights organizations to take coordinated and visible action to confront this deepening assault on fundamental rights in Morocco. The current trajectory, if left unchecked, will only lead to further erosion of civic space, the marginalization of critical voices, and the normalization of intimidation as a tool of statecraft.

Restoring a climate of freedom, dignity, and justice in Morocco will require not only the cessation of repressive practices but also a meaningful commitment to democratic values, independent journalism, and genuine pluralism.

Released by:

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC)

June 21, 2025