Final step before winning the medal of life

Youth race for the abolition of the death penalty

"We woke up on the sound of suppressed steps in the corridor of death in the prison of Kenitra in Morocco. It was dawn time and the corridor was under the pale light of old lamps. Suddenly, we heard the jingling of keys. Every one of us was nailed behind the tiny porthole of his cell.  A group of prison guards passed before our eyes laying our friend (x) on their shoulders as he could not stand on his own. We then realized at the heat of the moment that they are walking him towards the yard of death penalty.                                                                                                                                            

In the morning, the prison guards came and opened the cells with pale faces, and our friend’s (x) cell looked lonesome and gloomy and reeked of death; a picture of a little girl smiling innocently was painted on its wall. .... "

This testimony was made by Ahmed El Hou, a former Moroccan prisoner, about his experience in the death row, during Amnesty International Morocco’s youth camp in September 2012. He was arrested for political reasons related to his opposition to the former regime in Morocco. Ahmed was released following a global campaign by Amnesty International.  The faith in the battle against the death penalty by the young activists grew stronger as they were listening to his sad and moving story.

Joining forces to raise awareness

For more than six years Amnesty International youth has campaigned against the death penalty in Morocco and the rest of the world. They have joined with other human rights defenders to create the Moroccan Coalition against Death Penalty. The coalition uses a range of campaigning approaches across the country, from street theatre and public rallies to production of videos and engaging in academic debates, to raise awareness amidst a Muslim population that firmly believes that death penalty is a right of God.

Multiple forms of youth mobilisation

Maysoun, 18 years old, joined Amnesty International youth movement against death penalty and she felt that the world can be changed for the better by putting death penalty in the History Museum. In 2009, she participated with a group of young people from the Middle East and North Africa in a competition to write the Best Blog against the death penalty organized by the Amnesty International Morocco. She was not as interested in winning the award as much as she was dreaming about the possibility of saving somebody's life.

Less than two years later, on October 10^th, 2012, Maysoun was standing in front of the Moroccan parliament, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the World Day against the Death Penalty. She was surrounded by a large audience of people of different ages that joined the youth movement for the abolition of the death penalty.

Building momentum for change

Maysoun realized that the efforts are not in vain; the number of people supporting the abolition of the death penalty is increasing every day and Amnesty International youth base is expanding both in people and activities throughout Morocco. They agitate public opinion and rally more support. They have become more determined and insistent about their cause, engaged in the peaceful demonstrations of Arab Spring youth who went down to the streets in thousands demanding dignity last year. 

Abdelkader Sfiri, former prisoner sentenced to death, in action with Amnesty International Youth during a street theatre performance on October 16^th, 2012

A few days later, at an exciting stage show, featuring former prisoners sentenced to death, Amnesty International members collected hundreds of petition signatures concerning cases on death row in the USA, Iran, Iraq and Palestine. Before leaving the Parliament Square, Amnesty International youth made ​​an appeal to the Moroccan parliamentarians urging them to hold a legislative session to abolish the death penalty.

Their determination is generating change.  The power of youth and their success in generating a considerable popular pressure have forced the Moroccan government to draw up a new constitution that provides for the right to life.   And the momentum is building, shortly after the October events there was more good news for activists: a group of Moroccan parliamentarians decided to form "the Network of parliamentarians for the abolition of the death penalty”. With this new victory, Amnesty International youth feel that they are approaching the finish line of the race towards winning the medal of life. 

Amnesty International Morocco