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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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10 November 2006

Alert: New Contact Details to Appeal for Passport for Moroccan Detainee, Farid Hilali

A number of campaigners have informed IHRC that their emails to the Moroccan Embassy are bouncing. The Moroccan Embassy have informed us that it is now currently out of order. For now, please call the Embassy or send your letters by post or fax. You can also send letters of appeal to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Morocco, Mr. Mohamed Benaissa, whose details has been added to this alert.

1. Background

Farid Hilali is a Moroccan citizen who is the first person in the UK facing extradition on the new and allegedly quicker European Extradition Warrant. He is wanted in Spain on suspicion of involvement in the 9-11 attacks, despite being cleared of the crimes by the 9-11 commission of inquiry.

For the past four months, Hilali’s solicitors have been trying to arrange for the Moroccan Consulate to issue Hilali a new passport but with no success. In order to receive a Moroccan passport, the Consulate is now demanding Hilali to physically attend the Consulate Offices and sign the application form for the passport, despite being informed by Hilali’s solicitors that this is not possible as he is in prison.

Previously, Hilali’s solicitors were informed that it would suffice if someone from the Consulate Offices could attend the prison to witness Hilali’s signature or if Hilali’s solicitors could provide verification of his signature. Now the Consulate is again insisting that he attend in person.

Hilali was previously tortured in Morocco. His solicitors believe that this ‘passport issue’ is an excuse which is being given in order to prevent him from having any travel documents and thereby ensuring that he is compelled to return to Morocco, and no other jurisdiction, where there is a substantial risk that he may be again subjected to torture.

2. Action Required

a. Contact the Moroccan Ambassador, Mr. Mohammed Belmahi, and appeal to him to issue Farid Hilali’s passport as soon as possible as this is his basic right.

HE Mr. Mohammed Belmahi
Moroccan Consulate
49 Queen’s Gate Gardens
London
SW7 5NE

Tel: +44 0207 724 0719
Fax: +44 0207225 3862

b. Contact the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohamed Benaissa, and appeal him to issue Farid Hilali’s passport as soon as possible as this is his basic right.

Mr. Mohamed Benaissa
Avenue Roosevelt
Rabat
Morocco

Tel: +212 37 76 2841 / 1125 / 2550 / 2195
Fax: +212 37 76 5508 / 4679
Email: ministere@maec.gov.ma

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Sample letters are given below for your convenience

Sample Letter to Moroccan Consulate

[Your Name]
[Your Address]

[Date]

HE Mr. Mohammed Belmahi
Moroccan Consulate
49 Queen’s Gate Gardens
London
SW7 5NE

Dear Mr. Belmahi,

Re: Passport for Farid Hilali

I am writing to you to request you to supply Mr Farid Hilali with a passport as this is his right as a Moroccan citizen. I am deeply concerned that despite four months of correspondence between Mr. Hilali’s solicitor and the Consulate, he has still not been granted his passport.

His solicitor has now been informed that Mr. Hilali will not be provided with a Moroccan passport unless he physically attends the Consulate’s Offices and signs the application form for the passport.

Mr. Hilali is unable to attend the Consulate’s Offices in order to sign the form as he is in prison.
This was explained by his solicitors on several occasions and they were assured that it would suffice if a representative from the Consulate Offices would attend the prison to obtain the signature or if the solicitors could otherwise provide verification of the signature.

I would kindly request you to see to it that Mr. Hilali’s basic right for a passport is met and that his passport is urgently issued.

I look forward to hearing from you soon on this matter,

Yours Sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your Name]

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Sample Letter to Minister for Foreign Affairs in Morocco, Mr. Mohamed Benaissa

[Your Name]
[Your Address]

[Date]

Mr. Mohammed Benaissa
Avenue Roosevelt
Rabat
Morocco

Dear Mr. Mohammed Benaissa

Re: Passport for Farid Hilali

I am writing to you to request you and the Moroccan Consulate to supply Mr Farid Hilali with a passport as this is his right as a Moroccan citizen. I am deeply concerned that despite four months of correspondence between Mr. Hilali’s solicitor and the Consulate, he has still not been granted his passport.

His solicitor has now been informed that Mr. Hilali will not be provided with a Moroccan passport unless he physically attends the Consulate’s Offices and signs the application form for the passport.

Mr. Hilali is unable to attend the Consulate’s Offices in order to sign the form as he is in prison.
This was explained by his solicitors on several occasions and they were assured that it would suffice if a representative from the Consulate Offices would attend the prison to obtain the signature or if the solicitors could otherwise provide verification of the signature.

I would kindly request you and the Consulate to see to it that Mr. Hilali’s basic right for a passport is met and that his passport is urgently issued.

I look forward to hearing from you soon on this matter,

Yours Sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your Name]