The President Azzouz speech.

Urgent Advocacy Document: Demand for International Action Against the Unjust Sentencing of Abdel Fattah El-Houfi Executive Summary The Moroccan judiciary has sentenced Abdel Fattah El-Houfi, a blogger known as "Magribi Mazloum", to four years in prison and a sweeping denial of his civil and political rights—all for a mere Facebook post. His conviction and excessive punishment signal a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression, political dissent, and human rights within Morocco. The case demands urgent intervention from international human rights organizations, legal institutions, and policy-makers to pressure the Moroccan government to reverse this decision and reaffirm its commitment to justice and democratic values. Background In January 2025, Abdel Fattah El-Houfi published a critical Facebook post reflecting his concerns over governance and civil liberties. In May 2025, Moroccan authorities detained him, reviving an accusation they had ignored for months. On June 11, 2025, he was sentenced to: Four years in prison, a disproportionate punishment for online speech. 40,000 dirham fine, an economic hardship intended to silence. Banishment from his hometown, Safi, for ten years, an extreme punitive measure. Loss of fundamental rights: voting, running for office, testifying in court, military service, and teaching for two decades. These sanctions amount to political persecution, designed to intimidate other voices of dissent. Human Rights Violations The sentencing of Abdel Fattah El-Houfi violates multiple provisions of international human rights law, including: Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Guaranteeing freedom of opinion and expression. Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Protecting individuals from arbitrary detention. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 74/157 (2020): Urging states to protect human rights defenders and journalists. Call for International Action We urge human rights organizations, legal bodies, and policymakers to: Demand immediate release: Advocating directly with Moroccan authorities. Issue formal condemnation: Public statements by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Human Rights Council. Mobilize diplomatic pressure: Engaging governments and international institutions in denouncing the verdict. Support legal appeals: Connecting with Moroccan lawyers to challenge the case in courts. Increase global awareness: Amplifying El-Houfi’s case through media, campaigns, and academic discussions. Conclusion If left unchallenged, this ruling will embolden oppressive regimes worldwide to weaponize laws against free speech. The time to act is now. We call upon all defenders of democracy, justice, and fundamental rights to stand against this injustice.