Amnesty International, a London-based non-governmental organization focused on human rights, demands the release of protestors, activists and journalists detained over Rif protests. On its official website, the NGO insisted on Tuesday, 28th of November; saying that : «The authorities must free Nasser Zefzafi and others detained for protesting peacefully or covering demonstrations online». Amnesty International referred particularly to Nasser Zefzafi, leader of the social unrest that took place a year ago in the Rif region known as Hirak and journalist Hamid Mahdaoui. Detained since May the 29th, Zefzafi is currently tried by the Casablanca Court of Appeal. Journalist Mahdaoui on the other hand, had been detained for several for not alerting the police against a man who allegedly called him and told him that he is planning to send weapons to trigger a war in the Rif region. Commenting on the situation of Hirak detainees, the international organization indicated that «even though pre-trial detention should only be used as an exceptional measure and should never be used as punishment, the Casablanca court has refused release on bail for 50 of 54 defendants in the Rif trials». Amnesty added that the court should guarantee the right to a fair trial for all defendants «including through the exclusion of statements elicited by torture, ill-treatment or coercion».
