Moroccan Journalist Dounia Filali Exposes Health Deterioration of Former Minister Mohamed Ziane in Prison
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS-Moroccan journalist Dounia Filali’s tweet has shed light on a deeply unsettling issue, revealing the distressing deterioration of former minister of human rights, Professor Mohamed Ziane’s health while incarcerated. The emergence of severe pain and mobility challenges caused by spondyloarthritis has sparked widespread concern among human rights advocates and activists, with Dounia Filali at the forefront. They firmly believe that Professor Ziane’s condition is not merely a result of natural progression but a direct consequence of his imprisonment, fueled by political motives.
Noting that the troubling imprisonment took place the previous year, wherein Professor Mohamed Ziane was apprehended in his Rabat office by over 20 security personnel. The subsequent validation of the initial ruling and immediate issuance of an arrest order by the Rabat Appeal Court have only intensified concerns of potential “political retaliation” against Ziane due to his vocal opposition stances.
Professor Ziane, renowned for his unwavering support for dissenting voices against the Makhzen, has consistently utilized his legal and media platforms to challenge the allegations made against activists, including those associated with the Rif Movement and prominent journalist Toufik Bouachrine. He has emphasized that the prevailing regime’s policies are founded on repression, which exacerbates the prevailing political tensions.
Compounding the gravity of the situation is Professor Ziane’s precarious health condition as he battles spondyloarthritis. This incapacitating ailment, if left untreated, poses a substantial risk of paralysis or even loss of vision. As a result, journalist Dounia Filali is fervently demanding his urgent transfer to an external hospital, where he can receive the vital medical care that his condition urgently necessitates.
The deteriorating health of such a prominent legal figure as Professor Ziane, confined within the walls of a prison, raises profound concerns about the humane treatment of prisoners in Morocco. The denial of access to proper healthcare only serves to heighten suspicions of politically motivated mistreatment, thereby undermining the nation’s commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring justice for all.
