To denounce France’ systematic oppression in support of Makhzen: Filali couple on open-ended hunger strike
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Dounia and Adnane Filali have announced an open-ended hunger strike as a final measure to combat the intolerable oppression inflicted upon them by the French authorities, who are catering to the Moroccan regime. This is their last resort in the fight for justice.
The Filali couple, known for their opposition to the Makhzen regime, announced their decision to commence a hunger strike. In a press release published on their Twitter account, Dounia and Adnani Filali have expressed their strong protest against the French authorities, whom they accuse of being allies of the oppressive Makhzen regime.
As per the couple’ statement, they have been living in France for two years and have been subjected to an unbearable persecution by the Moroccan regime, which is supported by Paris.
In this press release, the Filali couple announced that they have commenced an open-ended hunger strike, which began on Friday, June 2, 2023. They have vowed to continue their strike until their safety is ensured, and their rights as political refugees are respected.
Present on French soil as political refugees benefiting from UNHCR protection in China (under strict mandate Articles 5 and 6 of the 1951 Geneva Convention) following the persecution they are still suffering at the hands of the Moroccan regime and its intelligence services due to their journalistic activities, the Moroccan journalists, noteworthy, launched an appeal to the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and government, urging them to assume full responsibility and abide by the 1951 Geneva Convention following the Makhzen regime’s cross-border repression imposed on them with a view to stifling their voices.
The couple listed the methods of persecution used by the Moroccan regime against them, namely; daily defamation resorting to Moroccan pro-regime media outlets, targeting not only their persons but also their families as they systematically publish private information relating to their relatives. Added to that, the couple listed the fabrication of accusations with the aim of questioning their credibility, including, among others, arms and drug trafficking, the sale of counterfeits and sex toys, money laundering, prostitution, incest, tax evasion, terrorism, high treason, etc. These accusations resulted in the lodging of false complaints against them based on the aforementioned false accusations, brought by associations and lawyers hired by the Moroccan regime.
In addition to its many gutter sites, the Makhzen has at its disposal thousands of electronic websites whose task is to flood and pollute social networks with all kinds of propaganda and subversive tools. This secret war takes a far more worrying turn with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). The Moroccan opposition figures are among the victims of these soft war tools. They are the subject of death threats, sexist insults and slander, calls for rape, and sexual discrimination against Dounia Filali through press articles and individuals in the service of the Moroccan regime.
Unable to pursue their journalistic activities properly, the couple left China for good and headed to France. Known for its strong ties with the Kingdom of Morocco, the couple paradoxically opted for France, betting on the European country’s values (liberty, equality, fraternity), respect for European and international laws, and freedom of expression.
Paradoxically, the human rights defenders are still the subject of unprecedented persecution by the Moroccan regime in France, with the complicity of certain French state bodies, depriving them of their legal, human, material, and security rights.
In fact, Dounia and Adnane Filali have been living through unprecedented persecution for two years, which has worrying psychological and physical consequences for their health. The constant pressure, threats, and uncertainty about their legal status and future generate intense stress that affects their mental well-being and their ability to continue their work as journalists and human rights defenders.
In addition to the psychological impacts, the situation of Dounia and Adnane Filali also has negative consequences for their physical health. The deprivation of medical care, housing, and financial assistance as political refugees in France worsens their state of health and makes them even more vulnerable to persecution from the Moroccan regime.
In addition, the communiqué noted that they have recently obtained top-secret documents, which reveal the French authorities’ intention to pursue them in collaboration with their Moroccan counterparts, with the aim of stifling their voices. This is being done under the pretext of maintaining bilateral relations between the two countries.
Dounia and Adnane Filali hold the Moroccan regime and the French state responsible for any harm that may befall them on French soil. They have attached some of the secret documents they possess, among the 1,200 documents in their possession, to their statement.
The confidential documents attached to the article provide evidence of France’s involvement in harassing the couple, with the aim of maintaining bilateral relations with the Makhzen regime. It is imperative that the French authorities respect the rights of political refugees and ensure their safety rather than engaging in such reprehensible behavior.
The Filali couple’s hunger strike is a powerful and symbolic gesture that highlights their unwavering commitment to their cause. Their message is clear: they will not be silenced, and they will continue to fight against oppression and injustice. It is a call to action for all those who believe in the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights.
