Idris Hasan, who was unable to find refuge in Turkey and was detained in Morocco while attempting to travel to Europe, has reached the United States after being wrongfully imprisoned for 3.5 years.
The Uyghur Turk Idris Hasan was released on February 15, 2025, after being detained for approximately 3.5 years and has now arrived in the United States. In July 2021, after China’s transnational repression and complaints to Turkish authorities made his life increasingly difficult, he traveled from Istanbul to Casablanca, Morocco, in an attempt to reach Europe. However, Moroccan authorities arrested him at China’s request. China had issued a Red Notice through Interpol, accusing Hasan of “terrorism” and demanding his extradition. However, in August 2021, Interpol reassessed this Red Notice in light of new information and subsequently canceled it.
International Pressure Secures His Release
Numerous international human rights organizations and civil society groups made continuous efforts over the years to secure Hasan’s release. Experts from the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office urged the Moroccan government not to extradite Hasan to China, warning that if he were sent back, he could face arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane treatment.
Amnesty International also called for Hasan’s immediate release and urged Moroccan authorities not to extradite him to China. The organization emphasized that such an extradition would violate international law. Additionally, the International Refugee Rights Association and various East Turkistan civil society organizations launched campaigns calling for Hasan’s release, making formal appeals to the Moroccan government, and rallying international public support.
A petition was also launched on Change.org to draw public attention to Hasan’s case and put pressure on Moroccan authorities for his release.
Open Letters to the Moroccan Prime Minister and King Mohammed VI
A significant step in Hasan’s case came from international human rights organizations and advocates who directly appealed to the Moroccan government. Activist Nawel Alaoui, World Uyghur Congress President Dolkun Isa, President of the European Uyghur Institute Dilnur Reyhan, President of the East Turkistan Union in Europe Asgar Can, Ilham Tohti Institute President Enver Can, and the Society for Threatened Peoples wrote an open letter to Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch calling for Hasan’s release.
The letter highlighted China’s repressive policies against the Uyghurs and emphasized that Hasan was accused solely for his peaceful activism. While Morocco’s previous decision not to extradite Hasan to China was welcomed, the letter stressed that his continued detention was unacceptable. The Prime Minister was urged to take a humanitarian step by granting Hasan his freedom, drawing parallels between Morocco’s anti-colonial independence struggle and the plight of the Uyghurs.
Additionally, Uyghur rights advocate Enver Can, based in Germany, wrote a letter to King Mohammed VI of Morocco, urging him to intervene in Hasan’s case. The letter underscored that China had wrongfully labeled Hasan a “terrorist” and warned that if extradited, he would face torture and other serious human rights violations. It called on the King to prevent this injustice.
Ömer Kanat: “If Rescuing Even One Uyghur Is Possible, We Must Do It”
Following Idris Hasan’s release on February 15, 2025, Ömer Kanat, the President of the Uyghur Human Rights Project, made the following statement on social media:
“Tonight, Idris Hasan is free. He suffered more than 3 years in detention in Morocco, due to the Chinese government’s abuse of the Interpol RED notice system. We are so grateful to welcome him. Whenever it is possible to rescue even one Uyghur, we must do it.”
Despite Moroccan authorities rejecting China’s extradition request, Hasan remained imprisoned for an extended period. His eventual release is seen as a major victory for human rights advocates and the Uyghur diaspora.
Enver Can, expressing his joy about Hasan’s release, said:
“Idris Hasan’s freedom is the first in recent history amid Chinese threats against Uyghurs. The Chinese authorities threatened Uyghurs, saying, ‘Wherever you flee and hide, we are able to bring you back home. In this sense, Hasan’s release was the first victory yet.”
The Struggle for Uyghur Rights Continues
The release of Idris Hasan is regarded as a testament to the international community’s solidarity in response to China’s oppression of the Uyghurs. As human rights violations against Uyghurs persist, activists and organizations continue their efforts to protect others who face similar threats.
Be First to Comment