Geneva – Targeting human rights activists and dissidents, at times with physical assaults that sometimes lead to death, has been on the rise in Morocco, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Moroccan activists said they were subjected to harassment, threats, and physical assaults, apparently in relation to their human rights activism and continuous criticism of official policies.
During the past several months,
the authorities have escalated their campaign against opinion leaders in the kingdom and issued harsh prison sentences—up to 15 years.
The authorities have also been ignoring organized campaigns of incitement and hatred against journalists and opposition activists.
Activist Youssef El-Herish from the city of Quneitra was subjected to what appears to be an assassination attempt on Monday. Two people attacked him near his house and hit him in the head with a sharp object, causing him a large cross-sectional wound that resulted in external bleeding.