**The Abdelmoumni Case: When Freedom of Expression is Threatened**
The case of Fouad Abdelmoumni, a renowned Moroccan economist and human rights activist, raises fundamental questions about freedom of expression and human rights in Morocco. His arrest during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron has raised serious concerns about the ongoing political repression in the kingdom.
The charges against Abdelmoumni, including for spreading false information on social media, illustrate the current difficult climate in Morocco regarding freedom of expression. As coordinator of the Moroccan Association for the Support of Political Prisoners, Abdelmoumni has long been a human rights defender and a vocal critic of the regime.
His criticism of the Moroccan government during Macron’s visit to Rabat was seen as a provocation by the authorities, who responded authoritarianly by arresting him and placing him in police custody. This arbitrary arrest is far from an isolated case in a country where the repression of dissenting voices is commonplace.
Despite the attempts at rapprochement displayed during Macron’s visit, the issue of human rights remains a taboo subject between France and Morocco. While economic agreements have been concluded between the two countries, the issue of individual freedoms and democracy remains unresolved.
The recent case of alleged espionage using Israeli software Pegasus has shed a harsh light on the Moroccan government’s surveillance practices, endangering the privacy and security of human rights defenders like Abdelmoumni. This case has also highlighted the close links between political power and the violation of individual freedoms.
In these uncertain times, when democracy is being undermined and the repression of dissenting voices is increasingly felt, it is essential to continue to defend freedom of expression and human rights. The Abdelmoumni case is a stark reminder of the fragility of these fundamental rights and the need to remain vigilant in the face of attacks on freedom of thought and expression.
In conclusion, the Abdelmoumni case must serve as a wake-up call to the international community, so that it can mobilize in favor of the defense of human rights in Morocco and elsewhere. Freedom of expression must be protected and defended, whatever the circumstances, because it is the foundation on which any democratic and just society rests.