Morocco: Saudi National Could Face Torture if Forced to Return

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Saudi Arabian citizen Hassan Al Rabea, who was detained at Marrakesh airport in Morocco on his way to Türkiye on 14 January 2023, must not be returned to Saudi Arabia where he would be at real risk of torture and other human rights violations, Amnesty International said today.

Al Rabea was arrested at the request of Saudi Arabia and charged with “collaborating with a terrorist by assisting him with illegally exiting the Kingdom” of Saudi Arabia, allegedly in relation to him trying to help one of his brothers escape the state.

We appeal directly to Prime Minister Akhannouch not to deport Hassan. If forced to return, he would be at serious risk of grave human rights violations including torture and other ill-treatment.

Amna Guellali

“Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch could decide at any moment to extradite Hassan Al Rabea to Saudi Arabia. We appeal directly to Prime Minister Akhannouch not to deport Hassan. If forced to return, he would be at serious risk of grave human rights violations including torture and other ill-treatment,” said Amna Guellali, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa.

The extradition of Al Rabea would amount to refoulement, the transfer of a person to a country where they would be at risk of persecution or other serious human rights violations. Refoulement is prohibited under international law. Morocco has an absolute obligation under international customary law and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment not to transfer anyone to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.