Following the arrest of the Moroccan Journalist, Hamid Mahdawi, Human Rights Watch, an American-founded international non-governmental organization has issued a report denouncing the charges put against him. Sentenced to three months of prison on the 25th of July 2017, HRW indicated that this «violates his (Hamid Mahdawi) right to peaceful speech». Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa Director at Human Rights Watch declared that «disagreeing with a state policy and applauding public protest shouldn't land anyone in prison», adding that «instead of banning protests and imprisoning journalists, Morocco should enforce its own constitution, which guarantees free speech and free assembly», she concluded. For the record, Mahdawi who is also director of the news website Badil.info, was arrested on the 20th of July amid a march organized that day in Al Hoceima to call for the release of the Hirak detainees. Mahdawi was charged with «inciting people to commit a serious or minor offense by means of speeches and shouting in a public place» and «participating in the organization of an unauthorized protest». He was transferred on the 28th of July to Oukacha prison in Casablanca.
